LETTERS FROM ALABAMA. 
63 
the distance of a mile; and to me, in the still 
balmy evening, when softened and mellowed by 
distance, there is something pleasing and even 
mnsical in these sounds. The hogs are turned out 
in the morning to forage in the woods for them- 
selves, and in the evening are summoned home by 
this call, which they well understand, to food and 
rest. I have been near hogs rooting and grazing 
in the woods, when suddenly the shout of the 
distant negro has pealed along the air ; instantly 
they are all attention, every head is raised ; they 
listen a moment, then all is bustle ; with a respond- 
ing grunt they scamper away towards home, and 
each races to be foremost. 
The southern hogs are a queer breed ; very 
singular creatures indeed ; one does not often laugh 
when alone ; but, really, when I have looked on 
these animals, with their sharp thin backs, long 
heads, and tall legs, looking so little like hogs, 
and so much like greyhounds, and have observed 
the shrewd look, half alarm, half defiance, with 
which they regard one, I have laughed till the 
water has run out of my eyes. From the amount 
of liberty which is granted them, and their con- 
sequent habits of self-protection and self-depend- 
ence, they are very wild ; indeed, many are found 
in the woods which are as really wild, in every 
sense of the word, as any panther ; perfectly owner- 
less, swift of foot, and fierce and strong withal. 
They have a peculiar colour (a dark brown), an 
appearance which distinguishes them from the 
owned hogs ; and they are often hunted by the 
planters on horseback with hounds. They show 
good sport, sometimes leading a long and smart 
chase ; but when close pressed, they stand at bay, 
