270 SHOOT A BLACK PIG. 



as even at low water it would have been easy to have 

 launched these smooth, round- bottomed things over 

 the mud. Leaping across the ditch, we found the 

 smaller houses apparently quite empty and deserted. 

 The Prince George now fired two more of her six- 

 pounders, to clear the long house if necessary, and 

 Captain Blackwood ordered Grant, with five hands, 

 to enter it at the back, while we took it in front. 

 Captain Blackwood was then running on again along 

 the muddy path, when up jumped a fine black pig, 

 and began to trot off for the woods ; up at the same 

 time went the Captain's gun, and, as piggy did not 

 fall, up went mine, and he was saluted by a dropping 

 fire all down the line. He did not give us time to 

 consider whether he was a wild pig or a tame one. 

 Just as we had discharged our guns (at the very 

 moment, too, when we might have most wanted 

 them), down came the rain again with all the fury 

 of a tropical shower, and we were obliged to run 

 into and under the nearest houses, in order to load 

 them with any chance of their going off afterwards. 

 As soon as it ceased a little, we rushed out and 

 made for the large house. I confess, as I came in 

 front of it, and followed Captain Blackwood up some 

 slippery poles that gave access to the front stage or 

 balcony, I fully expected a flight of arrows whistling 

 about us from the half-open doorways ; and, had 

 they been inclined to do so, the savages might have 

 made a very pretty stand of it here, and fighting 

 under cover, have at least wounded every one of us 



