236 THROWING THE SPEAR. 



seen some throw it farther; but a novice will riot 

 be able to throw it ten yards, and make it stick 

 in the ground. This is of very great conse- 

 quence when following the sport, as a great deal 

 depends on throwing the spear well ; if it misses 

 the hog, and does not stick into the ground, the 

 rider must dismount to pick it up, and by the 

 time he has remounted, hogs often escape : if it is 

 thrown badly and strikes the hog, it does little 

 execution. It distinguishes a bad hog hunter 

 from a good one; therefore, to follow and enjoy 

 the sport, it is absolutely necessary to acquire the 

 method of throwing a spear well. After having 

 learnt how to throw it on foot, it should be prac- 

 tised on horseback, both when the horse is still 

 arid at full speed; the difference of force required 

 is only to be learnt by experience : if a just allow- 

 ance for the speed of the horse be not given, the 

 spear will not hit the object aimed at. The more 

 perpendicularly a spear enters a hog, the deeper 

 it will penetrate, having the weight of the spear 

 in addition to the force it is thrown with, which 

 gives a great advantage to gentlemen mounted 

 on high horses. 



When near enough, I would always aim at the 



