AND HOW I HAVE CAUGHT MY FISH 151 



They came first along the front of where we were 

 seated and, as they passed, they raised the sides of 

 their faces nearest us, gave satisfied grunts, flopped 

 an ear each and then made for a basket, the 

 contents of which they were soon crunching in 

 their long jaws. I made an attempt to disturb 

 them, but my huish ! and the flicks of my hand 

 kerchief seemed to add zest to their determina- 

 tion to finish off the juicy tubers before the owner 

 returned. 



I am always fearfully unlucky in my dealings 

 with pigs, but I felt myself somewhat in charge 

 and responsible for damages, so I had to use more 

 forcible persuasion. I pushed them with my foot, 

 and as this, too, seemed to please them rather than 

 otherwise, I looked round me for a weapon and 

 spied a broom with which I think, had I been 

 sure the old lady would not have caught me at it 

 and been offended at my violence on her favourites, 

 I would have driven them off. Fortunately, she 

 just then appeared on the scene and her presence 

 caused the enemy to retire. 



I had reason to be glad that I had been relieved 

 of the momentous decision of sacrificing the potatoes 

 or belabouring the pigs. I was soon to learn that 

 these animals were the centre of affections in no 

 way short of the love the Arabs have for their 

 horses. She had a number of apologies for their 

 behaviour, and she finished up with, " Small blame 

 to the crathurs for getting a taste of the new 



