Hog- hunting. 189 



On one occasion, I was riding across the Kistnah, 

 before the anicut or dam had been constructed. It was 

 just dawn. I saw an old boar feeding, and laid into him. 

 I got out of the river bed, for there quicksands were 

 more plentiful than firm ground. When on the bank 

 I saw that I had not more than a clear mile before 

 me, so if I wished to possess myself of the ivories, I 

 must go the pace. My horse went like the wind, for 

 he delighted in a hunt, but fast as we went, the boar 

 went as fast ; thus, unless I brought him to bay within 

 the next few hundred yards or so, he would be 

 lost. A boar appears to be proud of his " credentials," 

 and carries them in a prominent position in the rear, 

 so a prick there generally suffices to put his dander 

 up, and then he thinks more of fighting than of 

 running aw r ay. My horse seemed to realise the 

 position as well as I did, for I never knew him to go so 

 fast. The jungle was not more than a hundred yards off. 

 Piggy grunted and tossed his tail about, thinking no 

 doubt he would be safe in a few moments ; but my 

 mount bounded forward, I held the spear by the 

 very end of the shaft, and stooping well forward, 

 almost lying on my horse's neck, I managed to prick 

 him in the part I have indicated. Although he was 

 then within ten yards of shelter, he spun round, and 

 I had great difficulty in avoiding a collision, but my 

 horse jumped clean over him and from being the 

 chaser I became the chased. I led the angry beast on, 

 for the further we got away from the jungle the 

 worse it would be for him. He chased me more than 

 150 yards and then, pretty well blown, he pulled up, 

 champing his tusks, and looking a very demon. I 

 galloped round and got between him and his refuge, 



