Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVII. The murderous assault committed on the poor braconnier, Cantref, so well known for many a league round Gourin, created intense excitement among the peasantry, who, notwithstanding the protection of the gendarmes and police, could with difficulty be restrained from seizing Gastel and wreaking instant vengeance on him for the foul deed. In the very nick of time, therefore, did the drag containing Kergoorlas and St. Prix--the latter respected and beloved beyond any man in Brittany--rattle over the rude stoneway of the town up to the doors of the Cheval Blanc A plot, the object of which was to force the gendarmerie during the darkness of night, was gaining strength in all quarters; and, but for the timely arrival of the Louvetier, another hour would probably have matured it, and seen a desperate affray, if not murder, in the streets of Gourin. The Breton peasantry are a good-natured but fiery race; and their ire, once aroused, is not easily appeased. This, too, was an act of such savage violence perpetrated on a neighbour by the piqueur Gastel, whom they all regarded as a foreigner, being a Vendean, and no Breton at all that nothing less than the influence of St. Prix, and a promise on his part that Gastel should be brought to justice before the authorities at Lorient, could pacify the excited crowd. M. de Kergoorlas, too, who was painfully shocked by the occurrence, not only expressed the deepest sympathy for the braconnier, but declared in the strongest terms that, if he died from the injury, he hoped the law would send the drunken ruffian to the galleys for life. When the excitement had somewhat subsided in front of the Cheval Blanc, and our little party had gathered round a blazing wood fire in the salle-h-manger, the fate...
