71 



" pretty, this may be the Zembra. The Embassador had two more 

 " such asses, which died by the way, but he brought their skin with 

 " him, to be presented to the Grand Signor with the live one." 



No. 54- Sus Indicus- 



JERDON, No. 215, PAGE 241 ; INDIAN WILD BOAR. 

 I have often in long grass, but generally in millet fields : (Soor- 

 ghum, the " Jowari" of the northern, and " cholum" of the southern 

 districts of the Madras presidency), come on the shady arbours, 

 mentioned at page 242 of Jerdon, who says that when long grass 

 forms their chief shelter, " they construct a sort of rude abode by 

 " cutting a lot of grass and spreading it out carefully on the 

 " ground. They then creep under this and raise it up to the proper 

 " height, and they remain in these lairs, which during the day afford 

 " a good shelter from the heat of the sun."* 



Hog-hunting has been described " ad nauseam ;" but one must 

 see to realize the courage of this glorious animal. I saw a very fine 

 boar, that had every chance of saving his life ; for he was 

 unwounded, on bad ground and within, at most, sixty yards of a 

 rocky and wooded hill, which had been his point throughout a long 

 run, turn on the foremost rider, whose horse swerving, caused the 

 coveted "first blood" to be missed, although the man was generally 

 sure with hand or eye, one of 



" The Scots who rein a mettled steed" 

 " And love to couch a spear." 



The hog then charged the second foeman who happened to be 

 my servant with a spare spear, getting, to my horror, under the 

 horse, a very valuable Arab, that jumped over the boar and kicked 

 him hard in the ribs ; the rider, a Mussulman, swearing freely, but 

 not using the weapon. The distance to the boar's haven, was by 

 this time so much diminished that to reach it, he had only to cross 

 a narrow cart track up which I was coming at best speed. Seeing 

 me, he turned at right angles and charged home, as only a hog can 

 and as few horses without pure blood can be trusted to stand, 

 springing almost off the ground and cutting my mare on the stifle 

 in his rush on the spear. I do not know any other unwounded 

 * Vide Memoranda following page 79. VAGRANT. 



