Hog- hunting. 199 



seen to, and we are soon away in search of our game. 

 This time we go towards the lighthouse and separate 

 into four parties, A. and I together, E. with B., C. 

 with F., and D. with G. Our syces follow with 

 extra spears. I was on my country-bred, and A. on 

 a clever Mahratta pony. The others were variously 

 mounted, D.'s horses being the best, if I may except 

 my gray, which was out and out the star at this 

 meet. We advanced in skirmishing order, riding two 

 and two at intervals of about half a mile, our nags 

 plunging through the indigo, which was very thick 

 and high. Two sounders broke almost simultaneously, 

 one on the extreme right, and one in front of A. and 

 myself. Ours consisted of a fat old boar, almost 

 gray with age, a three-parts grown hog, and some 

 half-a-dozen sows with a few squeakers. The boar 

 turned to the left, and my comrade and I followed 

 him. The remainder took towards E. and B., who 

 laid into them, whilst C. and F. and D. and G. 

 followed the other sounder. I knew my friend 

 would prevent him going far. Moreover, he was 

 making towards the sea. A. and I were fairly 

 matched, and we raced neck and neck. I was on 

 the spear side, A. on the other, close together, 

 craning for first blood. Fat as the boar was, he 

 managed to keep out of reach of our weapons for 

 some time, when, getting blown, he doubled on us "so 

 suddenly that, though my spear struck him in the 

 shoulder, he tripped up A.'s horse, which came down 

 a "cropper." Before the poor animal could recover 

 his legs, the boar ran in and gashed him dreadfully. 

 I told A. to jump up behind me, which he did, so 

 both rode back towards the syces for a spear. 



