128 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
next to him, while the remaining seizers would 
have tackled the boar in every direction, one 
hanging beneath its throat, another by the thigh 
just above the joint. Without a moment’s hesitation 
it was then necessary to close, and drive the long 
knife up to the hilt behind the shoulder. 
I have seen many severe struggles with boars of 
the larger size, which have dragged the pack of 
seizers, and myself clinging to the long bristles 
on the back, with the knife buried in the shoulder, 
until, after a glorious resistance, the boar has fallen 
dead, fighting to the last gasp with desperate 
courage, till the moment that life ceased. 
The large and heavy hunting-knife was an 
admirable weapon for this style of hunting, as 
both point and edge could always be depended 
upon. The skin of a boar is tough, and requires 
an acute point, otherwise the blade would fail 
to penetrate at the critical moment when the vital 
place should be exposed. The scrimmage when a 
boar is seized, and the larger dogs crowd upon him, 
must be seen to be understood. It is a difficult 
matter during such confusion to d;‘ cover a clear 
spot, where the knife can be driven behind the 
shoulder without injuring one of the hounds ; some 
hold on like bull-dogs, others lose their hold, and 
again spring madly upon the boar’s back, seizing 
thoughtlessly the first portion of the animal that 
meets their teeth. Nothing requires more cool 
dexterity than to come in exactly at the right 
moment, to assist the pack, and to prevent serious 
