“I have had my nets thrown this side of the Seven Rocks,” said the baron.
“Plaintiff, what do you demand from Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez?” said the syndic.
“I require,” answered Talebard-Talebardon, “the tribunal to forbid the lord of Anbiez henceforth to fish or to lay seines beyond the rocks of Castrembaou; I require that the said lord be commanded to pay to the said community, under the claim of damages and restitution, the sum of two thousand pounds; I require that the said lord be notified that, if he again lay nets and seines in that part of the cove which does not belong to him, the said community shall have the right to remove and destroy by force the said nets and seines, making the lord of Anbiez alone responsible for the disorders which may follow the exercise of this right.”
As they heard the consul formulate so clearly his charge against Raimond V., the spectators turned to look at the baron.
He remained calm and unmoved, to the great astonishment of the public.
The violent and impetuous character of the baron was so well known that his calmness and self-possession inspired as much admiration as astonishment.
Peyrou, addressing the old lord, said, in a solemn tone:
“Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, what have you to reply to the plaintiff? Do you accept his requisitions from you as just and fair?”
“Syndic and overseers,” replied the baron, bowing respectfully, “yes, that is true. I have had my nets laid outside of the Seven Rocks of Oastrembaou, but, in order to explain my act, I will state that which all of you know.”
“Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, we are not in this suit,” said Peyrou, gravely.
In spite of his self-control and his affection for the watchman, the old gentleman bit his lip, but soon regained his calmness and said:
“I will say to you, syndic and overseers, what every one knows: for several years the sea has fallen to such a degree that the part of the cove in which I had the right to fish has become dry. The sea broom has pushed its way there to the utmost, and my greyhound Eclair started a hare there the other day; honestly, syndic and overseers, to make any use of the part of the cove which belongs to me, I should need, now, horses and guns, instead of boats and nets.”
