290 THE ADVENTURES OF 



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on which I placed Lucien. The peccaries, about a hundred in 

 number, rushed on in a furious crowd. Sumichrast, who was 

 closely pressed by them, leapt up on the frail bark, almost cap- 

 sizing it, while I'Encuerado ran along the shore. 



" Cut the mooring, and push off," he cried out to me as he 

 disappeared in the jungle. 



Some of the peccaries rushed after the Indian; the others, 

 chasing and hustling one another, deafened us with their grunt- 

 ings. I cut the mooring line ; and seizing hold of the boat-hook, 

 directed the raft towards the right bank, whence the uproar 

 seemed to proceed. 



" Hiou ! hiou ! Chanito ! " 



" Oh6 ! oh6 ! " I answered. 



I was just going to spring oif, when the Indian came in sight, 

 followed by G-ringalet, and plunged into the water, holding his 

 gun above his head. 



L'Encuerado, instead of coming to us on the raft, turned to- 

 wards a peccary, which in its eagerness had fallen into the water, 

 and was endeavouring to reach the bank. He seized it by an 

 ear, and dragged it towards the raft, assisted by Gringalet, who 

 swam barking behind and biting it when opportunity offered. 



'' Fire your gun at this poor wretch's head," called I'Encuerado 

 to Sumichrast. 



This was no sooner said than done, and I'Encuerado leaped on 

 board, dragging his victim after him. 



The peccaries collected on the shore continued to utter loud 

 grunts of rage ; but we were beyond their reach, for the raft was 

 soon carried past them by the current. 



" Are peccaries carnivorous?" asked Lucien. 



" Yes, indeed, Chanito. If one of us had been knocked down 

 by the band, there wouldn't be much left now but bones." 



" Isn't the peccary a wild boar, M. Sumichrast r' 



" It is a pachyderm, — consequently, a relation of the pig," 

 answered my friend. " The wild boar is solitary, whilst the 

 peccary always goes in flocks ; this makes them formidable 

 enemies in spite of their small size." 



" What, small ! this one is larger than Gringalet ! " 



