130 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
rash excitement; and upon no account should he 
arrive before he is certain that the seizers have the 
boar within their grip. Even then there may be 
a risk, should he appear suddenly in front of the 
maddened animal, as it may shake off the dogs by 
a sudden jump forward, and inflict a severe injury 
before the hounds should be able to restrain it. 
I have seen something that approached an 
accident upon several occasions, but the narrowest 
escape occurred upon the hills at Newera Ellia, in 
a jungle of dense bamboo grass. Although this 
tangled mass is termed “grass,” it is merely a 
species of bamboo which grows at an elevation of 
about 6500 or 7000 feet, in a climate too cold for 
its complete development. Instead of forming a 
hollow cane, it extends in long and thin creeping 
stems, entwined together, forming a mass which 
can be broken through only with the greatest 
difficulty. 
A large boar had turned to bay after a short 
run within a jungle composed of this dangerous 
vegetation. 
Having broken my way with great exertion 
until I was within 5 or 6 yards of the “bay,” 
I holloaed the dogs on. Two powerful long- 
legged hounds immediately sprang from my side, 
and in a few moments I heard the peculiar angry 
sounds which told me that the boar was seized. I 
tore my way through the tangled jungle, and almost 
immediately found myself in the presence of a large 
boar exactly facing me. Without an instant’s 
