THE PECCARY. 399 



game; that he had shot at and probably wounded the Lion, 

 and it had killed him; that then the Peccaries came along 

 and ate the body. I think that if the Peccaries had killed 

 him, they would have tackled the horse, too, for they get 

 very savage when they are excited. 



Next day I learned that the natives expected the troops 

 to make a raid down the river; so I hired a native, packed 

 up, and left. 



The next spring I was again in Hermosilla, and telling 

 my friends of my troubles, they suggested we make up a 

 party and try to get even with the festive pigs. They 

 said they knew where to find a large herd, within one day's 

 travel; so it was decided to leave early the next morning. 

 There were four in the party, all armed with Marlin repeat- 

 ing-rifles and Colt's revolvers. Each had a saddle-horse, 

 and we had two pack-animals. We got off at eight o'clock, 

 and at ten that night we camped about forty miles from Her- 

 mosilla, well up in the mountains, on the bank of a small 

 stream fed by a spring near by. 



Next morning we could see signs of our game, where 

 they had come for water. After getting something to eat, 

 we all started, leaving our horses. We kept together, fol- 

 lowing one of the many trails which led up the side of the 

 mountain. We had agreed to keep together, and not go in 

 the open country, but to keep near the trees, as that is the 

 only safe way where there are large herds. We had gone 

 about a mile when we came to fresh signs, which we fol- 

 lowed. The wind was favorable, so we had no fear that 

 they would scent us, and we soon came in sight of a large 

 herd. They were feeding near the top of a small divide, 

 and we watched them until the last one had passed over; 

 then, hurrying to the top, we could see them not more than 

 eighty yards distant. 



I counted three, and we all fired. They gathered cjoser 

 together, near one that had been killed, when we gave them 

 another round, this time with better effect, as we saw two 

 drop; then the firing became faster, and the Peccaries 



