THE CHASSE IN PRUSSIA. 285 



ment amongst the leaves just behind me, and, upon turning 

 round, perceived an immense boar, that was cautiously pass- 

 ing the ride from an opposite direction into the very planta- 

 tion we were in the act of beating. I quickly brought my 

 rifle to the shoulder, and fired, when he disappeared in the 

 recesses of the wood. 



Although it was almost a guess shot, yet, as I had a full 

 side-view of the black game, it took effect behind the ribs ; 

 still he continued his course as if untouched, but I was soon 

 apprised by the sounds of " Bellernent's" tongue, who had 

 started valiantly in pursuit, that, instead of taking a straight 

 line, he was making a circuit of the beat. He was evidently 

 wounded, and I very soon perceived that he stood at bay. 

 " Bellement" howled with all the fury and power of his lungs, 

 and I made my way into the cover with all the force of my 

 arms and legs. It was almost impossible, however, to effect 

 a passage through this impenetrable plantation of pines. 

 Like a swimmer, who husbands his strength by swimming 

 alternately upon his stomach and his back, I pushed my way 

 into the thicket, sometimes in a forward, sometimes in a 

 reversed attitude, but I tore my hands in vain; in vain I 

 exposed my face to the rebound of the branches, with the 

 expectation of leaving one of my eyes at the extremity of 

 some thorn-bush. I advanced but miserably slowly, still I 

 did advance, and, in spite of all the noise and contusion I 

 created, the gigantic boar and the little dog were so much 

 occupied with each other that they allowed me to approach 

 close to them. I was now not above ten paces from the field 

 of battle ; " Bellement" was howling between my legs, and I 

 could distinguish the hoarse grunting of the enemy at bay in 

 a thicket close by. At length, either having perceived me, 

 or understanding the powerful aid that had come to the 

 dog, the boar beat a retreat. I observed a dark mass rush- 

 ing through the forest, bending the young trees before it as 



