HOG-HUNTING 157 



just not go up to the pig-. Arabs seldom fail 

 in this, and with all their faults are the best 

 and safest horses as a rule. The Waler when 

 good is very good, and I have known casters 

 from a dragoon regiment to make excellent 

 pig-stickers. 



Having considered the horse, let us turn to 

 another matter of no slight importance to the 

 hunter — the spear. There are two kinds of 

 spears in use : the long spear about eight 

 feet in length, which is used with a free wrist. 

 This is a very easy, handy weapon, and on 

 open ground is possibly the better in pursuit. 

 In closer countries, and with a charo'inor boar, 

 the shorter, or Bengal spear, which is not more 

 than six feet six, and weighted with lead, and 

 is used with a jobbing stroke downwards, has 

 great advantages. When racing with a party 

 of fellow sportsman for the first spear the long- 

 spear is the easier to use, but when hunting 

 alone the sportsman will find the short, heavy 

 spear a more effective weapon. In any case 

 a travelling sportsman should have both kinds, 

 and learn to use them, as of course it is usual 

 for all members of the hunt to use the same 

 kind of spear. A caution which cannot be too 

 strongly impressed on the young sportsman, is 

 to be careful how he carries his spear. When 

 not actually in use never let him, under any 



