ADVENTURES IN CAMP AND JUNGLE. 135 



never been tried after hogs. My own had been out before, and 

 I had killed pigs off him, but he was a hot fiery beast when 

 excited, though at other times gentle as a lamb, and would 

 follow me along the road like a dog. We mounted at about 

 10 A.M., and moved off to the ground, where we found upwards 

 of thirty villagers assembled. When we had quietly taken up 

 a position, the beaters entered the cane-field, and soon a large 

 sow broke and went off at speed. We did not give her 

 much law, nor, indeed, did she require it, for the ground was 

 in her favour, being uneven, and intersected with watercourses. 

 Farther on, it was more favourable for horses, and we now 

 gained on the flying pig. I could not pay much attention to 

 my friend, for my own horse pulled like a mad beast, and I 

 had some difficulty in keeping him steady. At length we 

 closed on the sow, but her speed was wonderful, and she cleared 

 thorn-hedges like a greyhound. Nevertheless the pace was 

 evidently telling on her, and I succeeded in delivering my 

 spear behind her shoulder. The pig gave a sudden twist, and 

 nearly wrenched the spear from my hand, but I held on, and 

 got clear away. In another moment my friend planted his 

 spear in a vital spot, and she rolled over, dead. She was one 

 of those long-legged, lanky sows, which I have generally found 

 give good runs. Their pace is much faster than that of an old 

 boar, whose sense of dignity usually prevents him from a too 

 hasty retreat from his foes. After breathing our horses we 

 returned to the cane-field, as our men were certain that it held 

 another pig. Their supposition was correct, and we soon knew 

 by the shouts of the beaters, who had now re-entered the covert, 

 that something was on foot. Presently a fine stout boar jumped 

 out, and stood hesitating by the edge of the sugar-canes. But 

 the line of beaters was advancing on him, and having appa- 

 rently made up his mind about his line of country, he bounded 



