xvir THE BOAR 313 



we neared the spot, it was only necessary to holloa the dogs on, 

 and the two big seizers instantly responded, and appeared as fresh 

 allies upon the scene. In another moment all the seizers resolutely 

 sprang upon the boar, regardless of cuts and thrusts. The peculiar 

 sound of angry grunts, and the excited yells of hounds, bespoke 

 the desperate character of the conflict. 



There was then no time to lose, and, with the hunting-knife 

 drawn, a few struggles through the tangled brake brought me upon 

 the scene. One hound would have assuredly secured his hold, as 

 I have described, upon the opposite ear, and would endeavour to 

 turn the boar's head upwards, by pulling back. Another would 

 have seized the ear next to him, while the remaining seizers would 

 have tackled the boar in every direction, one hanging beneath its 

 throat, another by the thigh just above the joint. Without a 

 moment's hesitation it was then necessary to close, and drive the 

 long knife up to the hilt behind the shoulder. 



I have seen many severe struggles with boars of the larger size, 

 which have dragged the pack of seizers, and myself clinging to the 

 long bristles on the back, with the knife buried in the shoulder, 

 until, after a glorious resistance, the boar has fallen dead, righting 

 to the last gasp with desperate courage, till the moment that life 

 ceased. 



The large and heavy hunting-knife was an admirable weapon 

 for this style of hunting, as both point and edge could always be 

 depended upon. The skin of a boar is tough, and requires an 

 acute point, otherwise the blade would fail to penetrate at the 

 critical moment when the vital place should be exposed. The 

 scrimmage when a boar is seized, and the larger dogs crowd upon 

 him, must be seen to be understood. It is a difficult matter during 

 such confusion to discover a clear spot, where the knife can be 

 driven behind the shoulder without injuring one of the hounds ; 

 some hold on like bull-dogs, others lose their hold, and again spring 

 madly upon the boar's back, seizing thoughtlessly the first portion 

 of the animal that meets their teeth. Nothing requires more cool 

 dexterity than to come in exactly at the right moment, to assist 

 the pack, and to prevent serious casualties ; which would assuredly 

 happen if the struggle were indefinitely prolonged. A masterly 

 attack on the part of the hunter, with a clever thrust exactly 

 behind the shoulder, completes the victory in less than half a 

 minute. 



Then the ghastly wounds of hounds require attention, and the 

 big seizers, panting with exhaustion, yet raging with the excite- 

 ment of the recent fight, once more dash forward, and fix their 



