30 



WILD SPAIN. 



on the grey rock beyond, and time barely remained to jump 

 aside to avoid collision. The left barrel told with better 

 effect : a stumble as he received it, followed by a frantic 

 grunt as an ounce of lead penetrated his vitals, and the 

 beast plunged headlong among the brushwood, his life- 

 blood dyeing the weather-blanched rocks and dark green 

 palmettos. There for a moment he lay, kicking and groan- 

 ing; but ere the cold steel could administer a cpiietus, he 

 regained his legs and dashed straight back. Whether that 



- \ 



A STRAIGHT ('BARGE. 



charge was prompted by revenge, or was merely an effort 

 to regain the thickets he had just left, matters not; for a 

 third bullet, at two yards' distance, laid him lifeless. 



During this interlude, though it had only occupied a few 

 moments, the main combat below was approaching its 

 climax. The old boar had at length left his hold, and 

 after sundry sullen stands and promiscuous skirmishes 

 with the hounds, he took to flight. Showing first on the 

 centre, he was covered for some seconds by a -450 express ; 



