Pig-Sticking 23 



A little farther on, and S. was upset over a 

 goanchie, as they call a lump formed by roots of 

 grass : he was soon on again and leading with G. ; 

 but there were indeed "wigs on the green " that day. 



Now they were gradually overhauling the pig. 

 G. was close to him, with, his spear in readiness ; 

 but every time he got within spearing distance the 

 pig would jink, and leave G. some paces to the 

 bad. Now this side, now that side, he jinked. 

 Meanwhile, M. was coming up upon the right, her 

 good little mount white with lather, but no one was 

 looking as fresh as when they started ; the pig, as 

 he jinked, seemed to be edging over right-handed too. 

 However, she pressed on ; rattle-rattle went the hoofs 

 over the hard ground. Suddenly the pig darted round, 

 seemed to get away like lightning from S., and in 

 another moment was charging for all he was worth 

 at M. 



Often and often it happens that the best man, 

 the first man, does not get " first spear " ; so now. 

 Drink to the unexpected ! it was going to lie with 

 M. to do or die. In a brief second all the well- 

 known injunctions flash through the mind, of which 

 " keep hold of your spear till death do you part " 

 is first and all-important : time for reason was there 

 none, it was a field for instinct alone. 



On came the pig straight for the Arab's shoulder 

 and forelegs a gallant charge. Keeping her horse 

 going at best pace, M. leaned well down, intending to 

 lunge her spear straight into him low down in the 



