their legs," as Jerry termed it, we counted our game and found twenty-two
of the creatures dead, and the ground strewn with portions of flesh,
bristles and bones, all bearing evidence of a fearful fray.

As the boys claimed to have killed but one of the creatures, we called
upon them for an explanation; and, from their story, it appeared, that,
shortly after leaving camp, Ned, who was in advance, had come upon a
large flock of turkeys, and discharged one of the barrels of his gun at
them without effect.

Soon afterwards they discovered the tracks of the _havilinas_.
Supposing they were either antelope or deer tracks, they followed them
into the grove, where they discovered the herd of hogs, quietly feeding
upon the mast with which the ground was thickly strewn.

Without a moment's hesitation Ned discharged the contents of his other
barrel at the animals, thinking they were hogs that had escaped from some
herd that had been driven across the country.

The shot did not penetrate their thick hides far enough to do anything
but irritate and madden them, and the whole herd rushed towards the boys,
who, frightened at their formidable appearance, jumped into the nearest
tree, where they had been obliged to remain until released by us.

Once fairly out of reach of the infuriated creatures, they rather enjoyed
the situation for a time; Hal feeling confident that he could, at any
moment, frighten them away by the discharge of his rifle.

Finally, becoming tired of the fun, he discharged his rifle and killed
his hog; but this only seemed to make the creatures more ferocious, and