VICTIM UPON VICTIM. 



179 



"CONCEALED FKOM EVERY EYE, HE WAIIS." 



a subterranean growling becomes audible, and another 

 pair of eyes glare at the opening which, a few minutes 

 before, was occupied by the sentinel. A second dis- 

 charge, and another victim ; and thus the slaughter con- 

 tinues to the twentieth, and even to the thirtieth, 

 unless, indeed, one of the animals, excited by the fre- 

 quent explosions, does not wait for the impending blow, 

 but makes a dash towards the hunter, followed by all 

 the other survivors ; in which case there remains for the 

 hunter but one resource, to fly with all speed, and 

 clamber up the first tree within his reach. 



If, during the fusillade, the sentinel-peccary lies dead 

 in the trunk of the tree, obstructing the opening, the 

 animal behind it pushes forward the inert mass with his 

 shoulder, until he clears the passage. These animals, 

 being ignorant of the danger, and not knowing whence 

 it arises, are utterly fearless, and spring forth boldly, 



