614 



THE VLACKE VARK. 



the head, the neck, and upper part of the back, and dull brown upon the remainder of the 

 body, except upon the abdomen, where it fades into a grayer hue. The tusks of an adult 

 male are most terrible weapons, projecting eight or nine inches beyond the lips, and with them 

 it has been known to cut a dog nearly in two with a single stroke, or to sever the fleshy parts 

 of a man's thigh. It is a savage and determined opponent, and its charge is greatly to be 

 dreaded. When chased, it presents a most absurd appearance, for it is naturally anxious to 

 learn how much it has gained upon its pursuers, and is yet unable to look round, on account 

 of its short neck and the large excrescence on each side of the face. The animal is therefore 

 obliged to lift its snout perpendicularly in the air so as to look over its own shoulder ; and as 

 it always carries its tail stiff and upright when running, it has a most ludicrous aspect. 



VLACKE \ASiK..-fftacoc/wsria (tfricanut. 



This animal is not devoid of sagacity, as was proved by Gordon Gumming: "I selected 

 the old boar for my prey, and immediately separated him from his comrades. After ten miles 

 of sharp galloping, we commenced ascending a considerable acclivity, where I managed to 

 close with him, and succeeded in turning his head towards my camp. He now reduced his 

 pace to a trot, and regarded me with a most malicious eye, his mouth a mass of foam. He 

 was entirely in my power, as I had only to spring from my horse and bowl him over. I felt 

 certain of him, but resolved not to shoot as long as his course lay in the direction of my 

 wagon. At length, surprised at the resolute manner in which he held for my camp, I headed 

 him ; when, to my astonishment, he did not in the slightest swerve from his course, but trotted 

 along behind my horse like a dog following me. This at once aroused my suspicions, and I 

 felt certain that the cunning old fellow was making for some retreat, so I resolved to dis- 

 mount and finish him. Just, however, as I had come to this resolution, I suddenly found 

 myself in a labyrinth of enormous holes, the haunt of the ant-bear. In front of one of them 

 the wild boar pulled up, and charging stern foremost into it, disappeared from my disap- 

 pointed eyes, and I saw him no more. I rode home for my men ; and returning, we collected 

 grass and bushes, and tried to smoke him out, but without success." 



