its due reward in a complete though slow recovery.

I have only left myself space for one little sketch more; but it
comes so vividly before me that I cannot shut it out. After a long
day's walking, over the hills and vallies, so beautiful beneath our
azure winter-sky, walking which was delightful as an expedition, but
unsuccessful as to sport, we crossed the track of a large boar. We
knew he was old by his being alone, and it was therefore very
certain that he would show fight if we came up with him. Patiently
we followed the track over a low saddle, through a clump of
brushwood menuka, the broken twigs of which showed how large an
animal had just passed by. Here and there a freshly grubbed-up
Spaniard showed where he had paused for a snack; but at length we
dropped down on the river bed, with its wide expanse of shingle, and
there we lost all clue to our game.

After a little hesitation, F--- decided on climbing a high cliff on
the right bank of the river, and trying to catch a glimpse of him.
The opposite hill-side was gaunt and bare; a southern aspect shut
out the sun in winter, and. for all its rich traces of copper ore,
"Holkam's Head" found no favour in the eyes of either shepherds or
master. Grass would not grow there except in summer, and its gray,
shingly sides were an eye-sore to its owner. We sat down on the
cliff, and looked around carefully. Presently F--- said, in a
breathless whisper of intense delight, "I see him." In vain I
looked and looked, but nothing could my stupid eyes discover. "Lie
down," said F--- to me, just as if I had been a dog. I crouched as
low as possible, whilst F---settled himself comfortably flat on his
stomach, and prepared to take a careful aim at the opposite side of
the hill.