272 HUNTING PIGS. 



the great depth of the ravine. In a few minutes 

 the top of his boot gave way, with part of his 

 great toe nail, the agony of which producing faint- 

 ness, gave the sow an opportunity of getting clear 

 off, with the spear in her back. It was a long 

 time before I could find a place to cross the ra- 

 vine, to assist my friend, and then it was too late 

 to follow the sow, she having reached a heavy 

 cover. 



Young pigs, under three months old, are of a 

 dark brown colour, with faint yellow stripes, 

 running lengthwise, which disappear gradually 

 as they grow older, until their skins become per- 

 fectly black. They are excellent food when 

 roasted, and are often killed by dogs, but are 

 seldom or never speared. Many gentlemen take out 

 with them country grey-hounds, for the purpose 

 of killing them, and village dogs generally ac T 

 company the beaters, which by good sportsmen 

 is never wished, as they do considerably more 

 mischief than good, by preventing hogs from 

 breaking through covers, and by being in the 

 way of the hunters when in the act of spearing, 

 causing hogs to be unsteady, and constantly 

 shifting their course. Although hogs may gener- 

 ally be found in sugar-canes at this season, it 



