34 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



discovered him jogging along at a very easy pace, 

 about a quarter of a mile off, in the plain. I made 

 after him, having first dipped my pocket-handker- 

 chief in a pool of the nullah, washed the dust from 

 the mouth and nose of Lai Babba, and given him a 

 mouthful of water in my hunting-cap to refresh 

 him ; and, in a short time, found myself within fifty 

 yards of the boar, who evidently exhibited signs of 

 distress, for he reeled from side to side, as he ran 

 with his head strained forward, and his flanks heaved 

 and were covered with foam, 



I was now joined by N , , S , 



D , C , and W , who came up with 



their horses nearly " pumped," as they had had to 

 ride nearly a mile down the nullah before they could 

 find a place to cross. 



We were perceptibly gaining upon our prey, when, 

 with a burst of recovered speed, he swerved off to 

 the left, and in a moment I saw amid a few bushes 

 a break in the ground, about a hundred yards in 

 advance. I knew another "yawner" was ahead, 

 and took a pull of my horse, so as to get him more 

 in hand, and gather him together for the leap. 



This let N and C get a couple of lengths 



ahead, and S and T were neck and neck, 



closely followed by , J)- , and W . 



The hog cleared a deep chasm like a bird, and we 

 all followed except W , whose horse fell on land- 

 ing, giving him a heavy fall, and rolling over him. 

 The ground now became firmer, the pace was terrific ; 



