The Chase of the Wild Boar 291 



down the lanes to the centre of the section. Meanwhile the 

 riders stationed at E and D view the hoar crossing out of 

 section 44 into section 444. The remaining hounds, at D and 

 E, are now slipped and the riders are racing at the top of their 

 speed southwards, cheered on by the riders at G and H, who 

 have viewed the game, leaving section 444 at 6 going South, — 

 and the chase is on. 



There is httle or no jumping, but the riding at times is at 

 a pace little short of steeplechasing. 



The wild boar runs remarkably straight when once really 

 away, and for the next two or three hours you may have your 

 fill of galloping on and ever on before he comes to bay. 



Instantl}^ he stops, the hounds change their baying to bark- 

 ing. Tliis first halt lasts but a few minutes, the huntsman or 

 Master rushes in to see if there are any killed or wounded 

 hounds. If so, some one with a horn is left in charge. The 

 boar having recovered liis "second wind," again rushes away for 

 another twenty minutes or half an hour, halts again and once 

 more proceeds to give battle to his old tormenters, then on 

 again for ten minutes, and another stand. Again he is on 

 foot, but more slow^ly now. When he halts again it will, in all 

 probability, be his last stand. 



Hounds are baying and barking at liis heels as he plods 

 wearily on. Now the riders cheer on the pack "Hallali ! Hallali ! 

 Hallali !" The INIaster dismounts with short sword in hand and 

 going up amongst the hounds dispatches the boar with a quick 

 thrust, just back of the elbow joint, that pierces liis heart. 



The wounded hounds are looked after, needle and thread 

 being used to sew up their wounds, lint and bandages to dress 

 them, and a wagon, that answers for an ambulance, is soon at 

 hand to carry them to the kennel hospital, where they are as 

 faithfully attended as a person would be, and made much of 

 by every member of the Baron's household. 



The funeral obsequies are a most ceremonious affair. The 



