feet, and taking a large sack they retraced their steps to the
hut.

This time there was no escape. Toueno had been asleep, and only
opened his eyes as they entered. Without a word on either side
they thrust him into the sack, and tying up the mouth, the eldest
threw it over his shoulder. After that they all set out to the
river, where they intended to drown the boy.

But the river was a long way off, and the day was very hot, and
Antoine was heavy, heavier than a whole sheaf of corn. They
carried him in turns, but even so they grew very tired and
thirsty, and when a little tavern came in sight on the roadside,
they thankfully flung the sack down on a bench and entered to
refresh themselves. They never noticed that a beggar was sitting
in the shade at the end of the bench, but Toueno's sharp ears
caught the sound of someone eating, and as soon as the farmers
had gone into the inn he began to groan softly.

'What is the matter?' asked the beggar, drawing a little nearer.
'Why have they shut you up, poor boy?'

'Because they wanted to make me a bishop, and I would not
consent,' answered Toueno.

'Dear me,' exclaimed the beggar, 'yet it isn't such a bad thing
to be a bishop.'

'I don't say it is,' replied the young rascal, 'but I should
never like it. However, if you have any fancy for wearing a