A WILD HOG-HUNT IN TEXAS. 327 



cornfield, feeding upon such of the seeds as had been 

 dropped in the corn gathering. They were too far off 

 for my gun to reach them, and I entered among the corn- 

 stalks to get near them. I soon perceived that they were 

 feeding towards the woods, and that they were likely to 

 enter them at a certain point. Could I only reach that 

 point before them, reflected I, I should be sure of a fair 

 shot. I had only to go back to the house and keep 

 around the edge of the field, where there happened to be 

 some "cover." In this way I would be sure to head 

 them-^that is, could I but reach the woods in time. 



I lost not a moment in setting out ; and, running most 

 of the way, I reached the desired point. I was now about 

 a half a mile from my friend's house for the cornfield 

 was a very large one such as you may only see in the 

 great plantations of the far western world. I saw that I 

 had headed the turkeys, with some time to spare ; and 

 choosing a convenient log, I sat down to await their com- 

 ing. I placed myself in such a situation that I was 

 completely hidden by the broad green leaves of some paw- 

 paw trees that grew over the log. 



I had not been in the position over a minute, I should 

 think, when a slight rustling among the leaves attracted 

 my attention. I looked and saw, issuing from under the 

 rubbish, the long body of a snake. As yet, I could not 

 see its tail, which was hidden by the grass ; but the form 



