to get a better view of the hogs before they came up; and just as
he raised his head above its summit, two little pigs, which had
outrun their companions, rushed over the top with the utmost
precipitation. One of these brushed close past Peterkin's ear; the
other, unable to arrest its headlong flight, went, as Peterkin
himself afterwards expressed it, "bash" into his arms with a sudden
squeal, which was caused more by the force of the blow than the
will of the animal, and both of them rolled violently down to the
foot of the mound. No sooner was this reached than the little pig
recovered its feet, tossed up its tail, and fled shrieking from the
spot. But I slang a large stone after it, which, being fortunately
well aimed, hit it behind the ear, and felled it to the earth.

"Capital, Ralph! that's your sort!" cried Peterkin, who, to my
surprise and great relief, had risen to his feet. Apparently
unhurt, though much dishevelled, he rushed franticly towards the
gorge, which the yells of the hogs told us they were now
approaching. I had made up my mind that I would abstain from
killing another, as, if Peterkin should be successful, two were
more than sufficient for our wants at the present time. Suddenly
they all burst forth, - two or three little round ones in advance,
and an enormous old sow with a drove of hogs at her heels.

"Now, Peterkin," said I, "there's a nice little fat one; just spear
it."

But Peterkin did not move; he allowed it to pass unharmed. I
looked at him in surprise, and saw that his lips were compressed
and his eyebrows knitted, as if he were about to fight with some
awful enemy.