When the officer, in the service of the writ of return and restitution, is not able to find in his precinct the beast or other property directed to be returned in his precept, he shall certify that fact in his return. The court whence it issued, upon notice, may grant a writ of reprisal, in the form prescribed by law, against the plaintiff in replevin, to take his goods or beasts not exempt from attachment, of the full value, to be delivered to the defendant, to be held and disposed of by him according to law, until the plaintiff restores the beast or other property replevied by him.