[21] Or, "make his rush."

As soon as the nets are fixed, the party will come back and let the
hounds slip one and all; then each will snatch up his javelin[22] and
boar-spear, and advance. Some one man, the most practised hand, will
cheer on the hounds, and the rest will follow in good order at some
considerable distance from one another, so as to leave the animal a
free passage; since if he falls into the thick of them as he makes
off, there is a fair chance of being wounded, for he will certainly
vent his fury on the first creature he falls foul of.

[22] Lit. "then they will take their javelins and boar-spears and
advance."

As soon as the hounds are near his lair, they will make their
onslaught. The boar, bewildered by the uproar, will rise up and toss
the first hound that ventures to attack him in front. He will then run
and fall into the toils; or if not, then after him full cry.[23] Even
if the ground on which the toils environ him be sloping, he will
recover himself promptly;[24] but if level, he will at once plant
himself firm as a rock, as if deliberating with himself.[25] At that
conjuncture the hounds will press hard upon him, while their masters
had best keep a narrow eye upon the boar and let fly their javelins
and a pelt of stones, being planted in a ring behind him and a good
way off, until the instant when with a forward heave of his body he
stretches the net tight and strains the skirting-rope. Thereupon he
who is most skilful of the company and of the stoutest nerve will
advance from the front and deliver a home thrust with his hunting-
spear.