268 MODERN PIG-STICKING 



Personally, I am using now spears about 5 feet 

 10 inches, and weighing only 2 lbs. 12 oz. This 

 is because my wrists are weak after various falls 

 from motor-bicycles on hard roads. A spear of 

 about 6 feet in length can be used as either an 

 underhand spear or as a '' jobbing " spear if 

 the cover is thick, or if the pig is a cur and 

 the country will not admit of riding across his 

 bows. In such cases you must get the pig right 

 under you and then strike with the whole of your 

 force ; the speed of the horse does not affect the 

 blow. Hunting this year with Mr. Burrard, R.F.A., 

 in thick cover, we each of us drove our spears down 

 clean through a hog's back into the ground. He 

 was a big pig too. 



When hunting in thick cover, if you have a 

 second spear up, or are in company, and the pig 

 looks like being lost, I advocate driving your spear 

 hard into the pig's back. Hold him if you can, 

 but if you cannot, then let go ; the upright shaft 

 will prevent the pig being lost. 



Whichever spear you use, except in the case 

 above, never use your strength or strike. A good 

 " spear " is no sledge-hammer business, but one of 

 delicate rapier play. The merest touch through 

 spine, heart, or lung is sufficient. 



If you hunt with the overhand spear, lean rather 

 forward and towards the pig. As he comes in, turn 

 your wrist, lower the point, and the thing is done 

 — that is, if you have the trick of it ; I have not. 



With the underhand spear, bide your time, and 

 when the suitable moment arises make the rush 

 we have talked of elsewhere. The boar will come 

 in to you, and your spear will be driven through 

 him by the force of a galloping horse and a steady, 



