HUNTING THE WILD BOAR. 39 



way. When the boar is hunted in the wood where he was bred, 

 he will scarce ever be brought to quit it ; he will sometimes make 

 towards the sides to listen to the noise of the dogs, but retires into 

 the middle again, and usually dies or'escapes there. 



When a boar runs ahead, he will not be stopped or put out of 

 his waj , by man or beast, so long as he has any strength left. 

 He makes no doubles or crossings when chased. An old boar 

 when killed makes no noise ; the sows and pigs squeak when 

 wounded. The season for hunting the wild boar begins in Sep- 

 tember, and ends in December, when they go to rut. If it be a 

 large boar, and one that has lain long at rest, he must be hunted 

 with a great number of dogs, and those such as will keep close to 

 him ; and the huntsman, with his spear, should always be riding 

 in among them, and charging the boar as often as he can, to dis- 

 courage him ; such a boar as this, with five or six couples of 

 dogs, will run to the first place of shelter, and there stand at Day, 

 and make at them as they attempt to come up with him. 



There ought always to be relays also set of the best and 

 staunches! hounds in the kennel; for if they are of young eager 

 dogs, they will be apt to seize him, and be killed or spoiled before 

 the rest come up. Collars with bells about the dog's necks are a 

 great security for them ; for the boar will not so soon strike at 

 them when they have these, but will rather run before them. 

 The huntsmen generally kill the boar with their swords or spears ; 

 but great caution is necessary in making the blows ; for he is very 

 apt to catch them upon his snout or tusks ; and if wounded and 

 not killed, he will attack the huntsman in the most furicus 

 manner. 



The places to give the wound with the spear is either between the 

 eyes in the middle of the forehead, or in the shoulder ; both these 

 places make the wound mortal. When this animal makes at the 

 hunter, there is nothing for it but courage and address ; if he flies 

 he is sure to be overtaken and killed. If the boar comes straight 

 up, he is to be received at the point of the spear ; but if he makes 

 doubles and windings, he is to be watched very cautiously, for ho 

 will attempt getting hold of the spear in his mouth ; and if he 



