XVII 
THE BOAR 
ii 5 
called statesmen. If a pig determines to go forward, 
nothing will stop it; but if it makes up its mind to 
break back through a line of beaters, even should 
there be a serried rank of a hundred elephants, I 
should like to see anything on earth that would stop 
a pig. It will dash back, giving a sharp toss of its 
long head to the right and left as it goes, and leaving 
its mark even upon the tough legs of elephants 
should they have opposed its passage. 
Few people would credit the speed of a pig 
until they have to overtake it. The feet are 
curiously constructed, as each foot has two toes just 
behind and above the hoof; these only touch the 
ground should it be deep, but there can be no doubt 
that they add to the security of the step, when the 
foot is widely spread, in galloping over rough and 
uncertain ground. 
I have never seen a wild pig make a mistake, no 
matter what the quality of the ground may be. In 
deep snow, upon the mountains in Asia Minor, I 
have seen them plough their way through long 
distances, leaving a trough, as though a canoe 
had been dragged through. 
Their power of scent is acute, and it is highly 
interesting to watch them when unsuspected. If the 
jungle is being beaten, an opportunity is almost 
daily afforded to watch their habits; especially 
should you be too proud to demean your rifle by 
shooting anything so humble as a pig. 
I have frequently seen a pig arriving apparently 
direct for my position, but it meets a small jungle 
