S6 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



called Bidgeley, (lightning,) well known throughout 

 the Deccan as a hog-hunter. My horse was smaller, 

 but I had the advantage in weight of at least a stone, 

 besides which, Lai Babba had been spared the 

 long run down the banks of the ravine, and had not 

 had the lost ground to make up, which told severely 

 on the other horses. 



We were now upon a bit of very fair riding ground, 

 and the boar was not more than a couple of spear- 

 lengths ahead. The pace was too good to last long, 



and I could see it was telling severely on N 's 



horse, who was doing all he knew to keep him 

 together. We were neck and neck, and now came the 



" struggle " for the spear. N made a vigorous 



attempt to hustle his horse, but without avail. Sit- 

 ting steadily in my saddle, I gained the lead and 

 kept it easily, Lai Babba following every twist and 

 turn of the boar, like a greyhound after a hare. 

 The tusker, now evidently nearly done, was slacken- 

 ing his space, and reeling from side to side as he 

 ran. Another moment, and the point of my spear 

 was among his bristles — a touch of the heel — a lift 

 of the bridle — a chiffney rush — and the victory was 

 won. The blade of my spear was planted deeply 

 into his loins. 



With a ferocious grunt, a rolling of the eyes 

 which portended mischief, and a champing of his 

 tushes, he turned short round and charged. I 

 wheeled Lai Babba round on his haunches, just in 



