where lies the throat;[32] and planting his body firmly press with all
his force.[33] The boar, by dint of his might and battle rage, will
still push on, and were it not that the teeth of the lance-blade
hindered,[34] would push his way up to the holder of the boar-spear
even though the shaft run right through him.[35]

[31] "Safety can only be won with honour by some master-stroke of
victory."

[32] {sphage}. Aristot. "H. A." i. 14. 2. "Straight at the jugular."

[33] Or, "throwing his whole weight on the thrust, press home with all
his force."

[34] Or, "but for the intervention of the two projecting teeth of the
lance-blade." See the account of the passage of arms between Col.
Pollock and a boar in his "Incidents of Foreign Sport and Travel."
There the man was mounted, but alone.

[35] Lit. "force his heavy bulk along the shaft right up to the holder
of the boar-spear."

Nay, so tremendous is the animal's power, that a property which no one
ever would suspect belongs to him. Lay a few hairs upon the tusk of a
boar just dead, and they will shrivel up instantly,[36] so hot are
they, these tusks. Nay, while the creature is living, under fierce
excitement they will be all aglow; or else how comes it that though he
fail to gore the dogs, yet at the blow the fine hairs of their coats
are singed in flecks and patches?[37]