THIRTY-TWO BOARS IN A MEET ! 23 



A couple of hours' ride brought us to the ground, but 

 we were disappointed on finding that some of the grass 

 had been cut. A halt was made for the elephants and 

 coolies to come up, and the tiffin-boxes being handy, a 

 peg and biscuits were rather acceptable. 



In about fifteen minutes the rear-guard having come 

 up into line, an advance was soon made. The first boar 

 was to be ridden by the home team. The beat seemed 

 to be rather disappointing, as the grass had been cut in 

 several places, and cart-wheel tracks made all over the 

 place ; and, now, if there is anything pigs either dislike 

 or funk is the grinding noise made by rusty cart-wheels. 

 Very seldom a piece of grass that has been used by carts 

 will be found inhabited by pigs. Towards the end of 

 the patch there was a seemul or cotton tree with rather 

 heavy grass underneath it, and out from it bounded a 

 very good-sized boar. The pig made straight for the 

 village, but there being no heavy cover went right 

 through, and eventually after a good deal of twisting and 

 turning he was speared by Ferguson, who thus secured 

 first spear. Lyall coming up soon after finished him 

 with a good spear. He was a very fair boar and must 

 have measured about 32", but had a small head and very 

 little tusks. 



The next couple of hours were rather slow ; the 

 country we went over being denuded of all grass or 

 crops big enough to give shelter to a pig. 



It was now about twelve o'clock, and a big tree being 

 handy a move was made towards it and the tiffin elephant 



