CHAPTER V. 



HOG-HUNTING, COMMONLY CALLED PIG-STICKING. 



THIS is probably the finest sport the world can 

 afford. It differs from our national amusement, fox- 

 hunting, in many respects. Doubtless both have 

 their advocates. But the generality of fox-hunters 

 have never had a chance of following " the boar, the 

 mighty boar," spear in hand, over such breakneck 

 ground as these porcines generally take across in India. 

 But on the other hand very many " pig-stickers " have 

 hunted at home, and I do not think that any of 

 these would hesitate to pronounce in favour of the 

 Indian sport, to running down a puny fox with some 

 fifteen or twenty couples of hounds, even if the 

 chase should take them over an enclosed country 

 such as is principally met with in English and Irish 

 counties. In India there are very few big jumps ; an 

 occasional nullah has to be negotiated, but oftener 

 than not it is too broad to clear, and the horse has to 

 go in and out, very often a most dangerous proceed- 

 ing, as the drops are deep and the landing is probably 

 on a slate bed. To overtake a boar, even when he 

 has not had a long start, a horse has to be pushed to 

 the utmost. The riding must be reckless and generally 



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