88 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



Chineah to despoil the dead panthers, bidding the 

 rest of the people go to the water and there wait, 

 whilst I, accompanied by Ponto, continued my 

 survey of the glen. I had not gone far when I 

 came upon the slots of a sounder of hog, and 

 whilst I was following them up, I perceived the 

 fresh pugs of a panther, to which I did not give 

 much attention, supposing it to have been made by 

 one of those I had killed. Ponto, however, was 

 not so mistaken, but gave a peculiar whine, as if 

 apprehensive of danger, which I not understanding, 

 and fearing lest the noise might alarm the game, 

 ordered him to fall back and lie down. Hardly 

 had he done so, than I heard the grunting and 

 shrill squeaking of a young hog, and, guided by the 

 sounds, I crept quietly forward on my hands and 

 knees through some high grass, until 1 got near 

 enough to see a fine sow, surrounded by a numerous 

 litter, turning up the soil and feeding upon the 

 young roots of the grass. I watched her pro- 

 ceedings for a moment, and was considering 

 whether to fire or not, being rather unwilling to 

 kill the mother of such a numerous small family, 



