326 A WILD-HOG HUNT IN TEXAS. 



creatures. Bear, I had often hunted deer, I had driven ; 

 and turkeys, I had often both trapped and shot. But I had 

 never yet killed a peccary ; in fact, had never seen one. 

 I was therefore desirous of adding the tusk of these wild 

 boars to my trophies of the chase. 



My desire was gratified as soon as I expected, and to 

 an extent I had never dreamed of ; for in the morning, be- 

 fore tasting my breakfast I caused no less than nineteen 

 of these animals to utter their last squeak ! But I shall 

 give the details of this "feat" as they happened. 



It was in the autumn season the most beautiful season 

 of the forest when the foliage obtains its tints of gold, 

 orange, and purple. I was a-bed in the house of my friend, 

 but was awakened out of my sleep by the gobbling of wild 

 turkeys that sounded close to the house. Although there 

 was not a window in my room, the yellow beams stream- 

 ing in through the chinks of the low wall, told me that it 

 was after " sun-up," as they phrase it in Texas. I arose, 

 drew on my garments and hunting habiliments, took my 

 rifle and stole out. I said nothing to any one, as there 

 was no one white or negro to be seen stirring about 

 the place. I wanted to steal a march upon my friend, 

 and show him how smart I was, by bagging a fat young 

 gobbler for breakfast. 



As soon as I had got round the house, I saw the 

 turkeys a large gang of them. They were out in an old 



