HOG KIND. 367 



would too soon come up with their prey, and, 

 instead of a chase, would only furnish out an en- 

 gagement. A small mastiff is -therefore chosen; 

 nor are the hunters much mindful of the good- 

 ness of their nose, as the wild boar leaves so strong 

 a scent that it is impossible for them to mistake 

 its course. They never hunt any but the largest 

 and the oldest, which are known by their tracks. 

 When the boar is rear'd, as is the expression for 

 driving him from his covert, he goes slowly and 

 uniformly forward, not much afraid, nor very far 

 before his pursuers. At the end of every half 

 mile, or thereabouts, he turns round, stops till 

 the hounds come up, and offers to attack them. 

 These, on the other hand, knowing their danger, 

 keep off, and bay him at a distance. After they 

 have for a while gazed upon each other with 

 mutual animosity, the boar again slowly goes on 

 his course, and the dogs renew their pursuit. In 

 this manner the charge is sustained, and the chase 

 continues till the boar is quite tired, and refuses 

 to go any farther. The dogs then attempt to 

 close in upon him from behind ; those which are 

 young, fierce, and unaccustomed to the chase, 

 are generally the foremost, and often lose their 

 lives by their ardour. Those which are older and 

 better trained are content to wait until the hunters 

 come up, who strike at him with their spears, and, 

 after several blows, dispatch or disable him. The 

 instant the animal is killed they cut off the testicles, 

 which would otherwise give a taint to the flesh ; 

 and the huntsmen celebrate the victory with their 

 horns. 



