A GOLDEN PHEASANT
[_Flying suddenly over the wall, and dropping in the yard, mad with
fright._] Hide me!
CHANTECLER
Heavens!
PATOU
A golden pheasant!
GOLDEN PHEASANT
Is this great Chantecler?
THE BLACKBIRD
All over the shop, we're famous!
GOLDEN PHEASANT
[_Running hither and thither._] Save me, if you are he!
CHANTECLER
I am!--Rely on me!
[_Another shot._]
GOLDEN PHEASANT
[_Jumping and casting himself on_ CHANTECLER.] Merciful powers!
CHANTECLER
But what a nervous bird it is--a golden pheasant!
GOLDEN PHEASANT
I have no breath left! I ran too hard!-[_Faints._]
THE BLACKBIRD
Puff!--Out goes his light!
CHANTECLER
[_Upholding the_ PHEASANT _with one wing._] How beautiful he is, with
drooping neck and softly ruffled throat-feathers! [_He runs to the
drinking-trough._] Water!--One almost hesitates to dim such beauty with
a wetting--[_He splashes him vigorously with his other wing._]
THE GOLDEN PHEASANT
[_Coming to._] I am pursued! Oh, hide me!
THE BLACKBIRD
"And the villain still--" Here's melodrama!
[_To the_ PHEASANT.] How the dickens did he manage to miss you?
THE PHEASANT
Surprise!--The huntsman was looking for a little grey lark. Seeing me
rise, he cried, "Thunder!" He saw but a flash of gold, and I a flash of
fire.--But the dog is chasing me, a horrible dog--[_Seeing_ PATOU _he
quickly adds._] I am speaking of a hunting-dog! [_To_ CHANTECLER.
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