THE WILD BOAE. 3 



of exquisite delicacy is aiding him to discover if danger 

 be near, and, if so, what that danger is. He is snuffing 

 the air, and deciding what to do. For his olfactory 

 organs are wonderfully fine ; and, coarse brute as you 

 think him, to his susceptible nose your presence brings 

 a pestilential odour. Notwithstanding your morning 

 bath, he finds you taint the air. He snuffs the breeze, 

 and deems it impure and an abomination; and that 

 abomination are you, though more than two hundred 

 yards off. 



Yet he is a fine fellow for all that ; and well 

 deserves to be classed with the " knightly " beasts, as 

 always has been the case by true lovers of wood-craft 

 and writers on " the noble art of venery." For he has 

 no lack of courage ; and if you choose to face him and 

 to challenge, he will not be backward with a reply. 

 Should he have been tormented by the hunter or his 

 dogs, and escaping them at last meets you upon his way, 

 I would advise you to step aside and let him pass un- 

 questioned ; for be sure he will not turn. He will be 

 too glad of an opportunity to vent his rage on one of 

 the genus man ; and, in passing, with a jerk of his head 

 will rip up your shin, or your thigh, or your body, before 

 you are aware. He will not stop for this ; for it is bis 

 manner to go straight on : he therefore will never think 

 of turning back, but he dashes forwards, let what may 

 stand in front. 



B 2 



