410 A FLYING SHOT OR TWO. 



It was not until the hunter was within three or four rods that the animal became 

 aware of his approach and raised his head. 



He was a formidable creature, and Dick checked his pony and surveyed him 

 several minutes with wonder, not unmixed with admiration. Then with a grunt 

 the brute started off on a trot, not entering the jungle, but taking a course 

 parallel to it. 



It appeared to Dick, as he rode after him, that the boar was as tall as a cow, 

 very gaunt, and with such long limbs that at first glance he half suspected he was 

 some other animal ; but watching him, as he leisurely trotted away, he noticed his 

 enormous tusks, curling up in front of his eyes, and he was convinced he was pur- 

 suing as magnificent a specimen of the wild boar as could be found in all India. 



The brute was going easily, but Dick was surprised to observe that his pony, 

 which was on a gallop, was not gaining upon him. He, therefore, pushed him to a 

 sharper pace. 



Finally the young hunter thought he had reached about the right distance, and, 

 bringing his gun to his shoulder, he aimed at the neck of the boar and let fly. 



Probably he hit the target, though, if such was the case, the brute gave no evi- 

 dence of it, but continued the same trot, neither faster nor slower. Most likely the 

 ball had struck some part of the snout or head and glanced off without causing the 

 recipient any inconvenience. 



" If you can get in fifteen or twenty more shots like that ! " shouted Mr. Godkin, 

 who was having his own fun, " you will make him take some notice of you." 



Dick laughed to himself, for he was too sensible to mind the badinage of his 

 friend, and began recharging his weapon, which, being a breech-loader, did not 

 require much time or bother. The cartridge was quickly in place, and he was pre- 

 pared for another shot. 



But, during the brief spell required to get his weapon ready, the pony had 

 slackened his pace slightly, and, as a consequence, the boar was farther off than 

 before : it was necessary to be as near as then, and, in the hope of making the 

 second shot effectual, Dick determined to decrease the distance still more. 



He observed a disturbing fact : the grassy plain over which all parties were 

 hastening terminated not very far off, the jungle sweeping around in front, so that, 

 unless the game was bagged before the boundary was reached, he was likely to get 

 away altogether. 



Our young friend, therefore, devoted a few seconds to bringing himself closer 

 to the animal. The pony, in accordance with a habit he had formed, had lessened 

 his speed and showed a disposition to draw off after his rider fired. 



This probably was on the theory that the youth required only a single shot to 

 bring down his game a faith undoubtedly complimentary to the hunter himself, 

 but not without its disadvantages. 



The horse was also quick to comprehend his duty, and, now that he was headed 

 toward the boar once more, he did his level best, gradually but surely lessening 

 the space separating the youth from the swiftly-fleeing game. 



