58 SPORT IN BENGAL. 



worried out of covert, when one or more men may take a 

 shot at it, and failing to bring it down, away they go over 

 the plain to the next village or bit of jungle, Mister Pig 

 leading far ahead, Messieurs the Curs, six or eight in number, 

 following at a respectful interval behind, and by no means 

 overtasking their strength by their speed, and lastly, half a- 

 dozen "Shikarees," armed with old flint fowling-pieces and 

 heavily-tipped spears, bringing up the rear in a lobbing kind 

 of run, at which they will cover miles without being blown. 

 Some shelter gained, the hunted beast will then come to bay 

 again, and again worried and baited, will break out and make 

 for another covert, chased as before, curs and men now rather 

 closer in the rear ; and this game will be repeated two or 

 three times, the fat pig usually showing signs of fatigue after 

 a run of three or four miles, and as many fights with its per- 

 secutors, who are as fresh as when they started, and barring 

 a cut or two, none the worse for their exertions. A last run 

 of a mile or two more and the exhausted pig makes his last 

 stand with stern to some bush, bank, or tree, bristles erect, 

 mouth open and champing, now and again charging upon the 

 curs, and upsetting one or more, while the rest close round, 

 biting his hams and hocks, till the men coming up bury their 

 broad-bladed spears into his ribs, and finally overcome him 

 by the pertinacity of their pursuit and attacks. 



I have known but one instance of Europeans following 

 this kind of sport, which the heat of the climate and the 

 want of training combine to render unsuitable to them in 

 Bengal. My friend W. J. L. and I, having often observed our 

 " Shikarees " and their dogs, who used to drive out boars for 

 us, run down a fat sow for themselves in the manner above 

 described, resolved upon making the attempt ourselves, en- 

 couraged to do so by the fact that in jumping and running 

 we could always beat our native companions when we 

 matched ourselves against them in races. 



Accordingly, one fine February morning, after breakfast, 

 when the cool north breeze tempered the heat of the sun, we 

 sallied out, spear in hand, with our " Shikarees " and their 



