258 HOGS ON BAD GROUND. 



other, and wide of the hog, keeping him in a 

 line between them: he will then see them, 

 which will tend to prevent his turning about 

 towards the cane he started from; and if he 

 should, they will be ready to meet him. If he is 

 in bad ground, near to cover, and not in a good 

 situation for spearing, crossing him in front will 

 often bring him to bay, or draw him from his 

 course into better ground, where he can be more 

 easily speared. It is surprising to observe how 

 well they are acquainted with all the bad ground 

 in the country. If there is any rotten ground 

 gounchies,* ravines, or other inequalities in the 

 ground near their route, they will certainly go 

 through them. Rather than cross a plain of 

 half a mile extent, they will prefer a circuitous 

 route of two or three miles over such ground : 

 where .there is not such to be met with, they will 

 generally make for the nearest bushes, or standing 

 grain they see, and then on to the next, diverg- 

 ing from a straight course; which makes it 

 difficult to ascertain for what place of security 

 they are making, particularly if their haunts 

 are not well known. 



* Gounchies Dignify small hillocks, formed by the roots 

 of the surput grass, carrying the earth with them above 

 the surface. 



