PRECAUTION TO HUNTERS. 245 



out with their teeth, grinding the wood to pieces. 

 I once saw a hog shake a spear out of his back 

 several feet perpendicularly in the air. 



For this sport saddles, bridles, stirrup-leathers, 

 and girts, ought to be of the best materials, and 

 not old. Though new, and of European manu- 

 facture, entire confidence ought not to be placed 

 in their strength ; for in India insects frequently 

 destroy the sewing thread of the bridles, stirrup- 

 leathers, saddle-straps, or girts, in one night : 

 therefore gentlemen ought always to make a 

 point of examining these tilings before they mount 

 their horses. Should any of them give way 

 during a chase, serious falls may be the conse- 

 quence, which would be prevented by the above 

 precaution. 



I recommend every gentleman to have a spare 

 stirrup-leather tightly fastened round his waist. 

 I have found it of great service for preventing a 

 stitch in the side, which the violent exertions of 

 the sport often bring on> and it may be of great 

 service if either of the others should break or 

 give way. 



