DITCHES IN THE PLAINS. 281 



to the end of the bed, where the hog's head points, 

 he will run great risk of having his horse suddenly 

 ripped. Hogs have always places in their beds 

 to see through, which are not visible on the out- 

 side, and their motions are exceedingly rapid. If 

 the spear misses the hog and he takes off, two or 

 three hunters (agreeably to the number out) 

 should follow him immediately at full speed, in 

 the same manner as if he were started from a 

 sugar cane, leaving some sportsmen behind to 

 pursue others that may get up : hogs being gre- 

 garious animals are seldom alone. At this season 

 they feed chiefly on grubs and roots, which they 

 find in the plains, but occasionally go far off at 

 night for rice and other grain, and return to the 

 grass plains in the morning, which keeps them 

 thin and in good wind ; and they run at a rate 

 that will keep a good hunter at his utmost speed 

 for two or three miles, and if they are not hard 

 pressed at first, they are seldom overtaken. For 

 many reasons, it is necessary to keep in constant 

 sight of them, which can be more easily done 

 before the grass attains its full height, than after- 

 wards, their backs being a little above the grass ; 

 but when it is full grown, they can only be traced 

 through it by the waving of the grass, excepting 

 in particular spots where it is thin or low. 



