122 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



thick ndla. As we arrived on the scene he had just made 

 good his retreat downstream, leaving a beater nursing his 

 thigh, down which there trickled a thin red stain ; while, 

 further on, a rider more rash than the rest had fallen, 

 horse and all, over a steep bank, and had just been propped 

 up, gazing vacantly into space. However, a bottle of soda- 

 water soon pulled him round. 



An uproar arising still further downstream, we hurried 

 thither, and found the old pig, weak from loss of blood, 

 standing behind some thick bushes. Edging round, I 

 found him facing me down a tiny path in the jungle, his 

 small eyes blazing with fury, and drew up the mare and 

 lowered the spear- point none too soon, for, instantly 

 making up his mind, and acting on his resolution like the 

 good pig he was, out he came. Had he been fresher, I 

 fear there would have been good reason to bewail the 

 folly of trying to take a charge at the halt, as it was only 

 by thrusting downwards, with all the strength at my com- 

 mand, that I kept him down as he passed under the mare's 

 belly, and crack! went the stout bamboo shaft, snapping 

 in two just above the blade, as a rustle behind told us he 

 had regained his sanctuary. 



This boar was never found, although we had the covert 

 hunted through for him next day, and so must be added to 

 the list of " wounded and got away." 



The beat being resumed, was carried out to the end of 

 the palm grove. Partridges whirred by in numbers ; a 

 jackal came slinking out and loped away across the 

 open ; and, at the last moment, a big sounder of sows 

 and squeakers broke, and sped off in a long line north- 

 wards. 



This brought our morning's sport to a close, and canter- 

 ing down past the pan gardens, there a welcome sight 

 stood the tent, with the white figures of servants flitting 

 about preparing the breakfast to which we were soon 

 doing ample justice, amid the popping of soda-water and 



