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T H E H O G A T BAY. 1 9
r a i s i n g his lieatl forcibly, sometimes even rising on liis hind legs. It may be
concluded that animals of such bulk do not always confine their ravages lo the
lower limbs ; indeed instiinces have occurred of their placing ihcir fore legs
against a horse, and cutting most desperately at his neck and side. A favourite
h u n t e r , Sultan, belonging lo Mr. Mathew Day of Dacca, was attacked in lliis
manner by a boar, and received a cut reaching from the insertion of the lail
n e a r l y to the tip of the hip-bone. Tlii.s horse was about sixteen hands high;
conse((uenlly w e may imagine tlie iiazards of those hunters, by no means few in
number or deficient in prowess, who adventure on liorses sometimes but two or
t h r e e hands higher than the hogs they pursue.
As all hogs raise their fore quarters in charging, and collect tlieirwhole force
for the occasion, it requires some strength to receive their impulse. Caution is
ever commendable ; for it sometimes happens, that, when a boar appears quite
overcome, he makes a dying effort, and ruins or perhaps kills a horse oulriglit!
When at bay, and surrounded by horsemen, hogs will either stand still, watci i ing ;
or trot on, keenly surveying the harassing troops, and thus endeavour to reach
some cover, or even a busli, as a protection lo tlie rear. Then whatever approaches
must expect a furious attack ; which tliough nnvariably commenced
a t a trot, increases vapidly into a smart gallop, sometimes overwhelming horse
and rider. Pregnant as this manly diversion is with danger, it is curious tliat
so few gentlemen should have suflercd from the tusks of a boar. Many have
b e e n bitten by sows, and among them myself; having been once attacked by a
small one that came trotting out of a jungl e through which she had been driven
b y some colleagues; as my borse turned iiis riglit shoulder to receive tlie
charge, she made a snap at my foot. My spear entered before her slioulder as
she rose, but she did not quit her hold. Luckily the bite extended only to
m y great toe, which I was fortunate enough to slip back, leaving tlie tip of my
boot in her mouth, to the great amusement of my friends, who were so struck
w i t h the whimsical situation in which I was placed, as to lose the power of
a f f o r d i n g me that aid which 1 so much required, and for which T should have
been very thankful. However, by withdrawing my spear, and sticking it into
h e r forehead, 1 was speedily restored to liberty.
I n this adventure 1 escaped on better terms than a friend, now in England,
who about twenty-five years ago, when closely pursuing a large sow, was, by
t h e stumbling of his horse, thrown fairly across her back. She conveyed him
about (ifty yards, but perhaps from feeling herself incommoded by his weight,
tumbled him off, and punished his presumption with a smart bile in the loins,
f r om which he was many months recovering.
It is very common to see a boar brought to bay in such an easy, passive
manner, as woul d indicate the most perfect resignation to the will of his pursuers
; and some indeed, though of great bulk, suffer themselves to be killed
w i t h o u t making resistance wor thy of notice. I have, however, found that the
major part of these quiet seeming gentry, when wounded, have assumed a most
f o r m i d a b l e character. Once in particular, an immense boar allowed me, after
missing hitu, lo gallop on by his side for a full mile, fairly vhevk hy j o u l . A
friend who was running a small hog came to my aid, and coiinnencfd his
a t t a c k , which occasioned the hog to stand boldly to Wm dcfencc. 1 had no
spear, l)ul that which I had thrown was picked up by a servant, who was fa.st app
r o a c h i n g with it. My companion's spear was slickit)g in the ribs of th.; hog,
which now ])ut us both lo flight. Mine was at length obtained, and aftor much
t r o u b l e I got my horse, greatly frightened by the hog's rapid an<l sonorous
charges, Lo ap[)roacli near enough for me lo throw il, which 1 did so as to stirk
also ill the ribs, We were now disarmed, Inil forlnnately the hog resumed his
course through some briars, which disengaged both our weapons. fla<l they
been made with barbs, or shoulders, we mighl have taken our leave both of
t h em aiul of the game. After at least an hour s[)ent in .•iham and real attacks,
in which we were not always on the best side of the ([uestion, my companion,
w i t h more zeal than prudence, for his horse was small, and by no means governable,
dashed at the hog's head, but uiifortiuiately was not borne so well by his
steed as the spirit displayed in the enterprise merited. The hog was too quick
for him, and absolutely bore down the horse )>y the violence with which he
charged. My poor f'riend for many years felt the force with which the boar
applied a toolh, in passing, to the end of his back bone. He however had the
momentary gratification of seeing the liog drop, before he had proceeded fifty
yards, owing to the severity of a ihird wound which his spear had inflicted in the
ribs. The horse look to his heels, and was wi t h great difficulty caught that day.
Such was the impression made by llie overthrow he had experienced, that
thenceforth nothing could induce him to approach even a lame hog; which, as
before remarked, horses most instinctively distinguish at the first glimpse ; conscquenlly
as a hunter he never afterwards was worth a farthing.
Hogs possess a great share of cunning, and are very sensible as to the slate of
iheii^ powers. When hard run and blown with exertion, they generally wind
about, and endeavour to evade the contest; unless indeed cover be at hand,
when, as already explained, it h not a little that will divert them from their
course. A sportsman who either from a want of experience or of spirit, or
eventually from being mounted on a shy horse, fails to seize this moment of
evasion to secure his prey, will generally find himself foiled in tlie end. After
recovering his wind, or if allowed to take a la[) of water, or to roll in the mud,
though but for half a minute, a hog will regain his vigour in a surprising
manner, and assume a tone of defiance which his previous state of la.ssitude and
conduct would not indicate to be so easily efTected. The animal now displays
all the energy of despair, and in his turn assails with the utmost fury! 'i'his
is the moment when the spirit of the steed and the coolness of the rider are put
t o the test ; and a severe one it often proves. Many horses which during the
chase proceeded with obvious pleasure, like well trained hunters after a pack of
harriers, no sooner find the game exhibit symptoms of opposition, than they, in
t h e i r turn, give unquestionable proofs of a reverse of deportment also. Alarmed
b y the bristling appearance and vehement gruulings of the indignant game.