PIGS IN ALBANIA 17 



behind a tree or bush and on a hastily improvised seat. It 

 was delightful in these woods on glorious days like these. 

 Once established in one's lair there was plenty of time to 

 examine the surroundings and to settle in one's mind and to 

 one's own satisfaction where the much-to-be-desired boar 

 would be most likely to appear, and to make certain that no 

 obstructing branch or other object would interfere with the 

 aim in any direction. The report of the head beater's pistol, 

 the signal for the men to advance, was soon followed by 

 sounds from the far distance of the shouts of the men and 

 the clatter of their sticks against the trees. The noise quickly 

 became louder, and cries of "Futaro" and "Hi porko " are 

 mingled with it. Some heavy animal approaches galloping 

 noisily over the dry leaves, putting the nearest rifle on the 

 qui vive ; however, it is only a dog chasing a jackal. But now 

 the loud barking of dogs and deafening shouts of the men 

 proclaim that a pig has really been moved. A pistol or two 

 fired by the beaters gets the game well under weigh ; once 

 more the clatter over the dry leaves is heard rapidly approach- 

 ing, and a fine old boar appears, going well a long way in 

 front of the dogs. He is rolled over or only wounded, or 

 even missed altogether for such things do happen occasion- 

 ally and the beat is over. The beaters, greatly excited, go 

 to where the shot fell, and so do all the other guns, and woe 

 to the unfortunate man if the pig be not there to show. He 

 is treated with silent contempt, especially if the boar passed 

 closely for the men have a disagreeable habit of looking at 

 the animal's footprints and making remarks as to how close 

 it must have been and what an easy shot it must have offered. 

 Well do I remember one day we spent in the woods on the 

 further side of the Butrinto Lake. I enjoyed that day above 

 all others, although the total bag consisted of but two boars ; 

 and why ? because it was I who killed both, neatly and in a 

 business-like style, and because the others missed everything 

 they shot at and got nothing ; but then they had every excuse, 

 they said. Nothing is more enjoyable than success over one's 

 neighbour, especially in anything connected with sport. My 

 chances certainly had been undeniably good, and non-success 

 would have been simply disgraceful. Invisible to my neigh- 

 bours as we were posted, would I not also have made every 



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