THROWING THE SPEAR. 239 



are sufficient reasons for giving jabbing the pre- 

 ference when you are thus situated. 



Whenever a person is following a hog, and 

 others are near behind, it is expected that he will 

 deliver his spear the instant he approaches near 

 enough, that they may have a chance of throwing 

 theirs ; if he does not throw it soon, he will be 

 hurried by their calling to him to deliver, and if 

 he then delays, he will run the risk of being 

 jostled by another riding on between him and the 

 hog, which is attended with danger to both. 



Agreeably to my experience, the best distance 

 for delivering a spear, is when the hunter is about 

 six feet behind the hog, and nearly as much to 

 his left, which is sufficiently near to enable you 

 to spear him with effect, and to turn your horse 

 to the left immediately after having delivered the 

 spear, avoiding his charge, and preventing him 

 from ripping your horse. 



No good hog hunter will ever attempt to throw 

 his spear from the right side of a hog, unless he 

 is left handed, in which case, he will have an 

 advantage over others; but it is always dangerous 



