upon their pursuers. There was no attempt on the part of the pigs to keep
together, and directly after starting they began to diverge. The old boar
and sow both kept across the plain--one bearing toward the left, the other
to the right. The squeakers ran in all directions--some at right angles to
the line that the old ones were taking. The object of one and all was to
gain cover of some kind.

With their hats pressed well down upon their heads, and their spears
advanced with the head some two or three feet from the ground, the hunters
started after them--some making after the boar, some after the sow,
according to the position which they occupied at the commencement of the
chase, while some of the young hands dashed off in pursuit of the
squeakers.

There were five, however, after the boar; Captain Dunlop, a young ensign
named Skinner, the Scotch doctor of the regiment, and two civilians. For a
short time they kept together, and then Captain Dunlop and Skinner began
to draw ahead of the others.

The boar was a stanch one, and a mile had been passed before his speed
began sensibly to diminish. The young ensign, who was mounted on a very
fast Arab, began to draw up to him three or four lengths ahead of Captain
Dunlop, bearing his horse so as to get upon the left side of the boar, in
order to permit him to use his spear to advantage.

He was nearly up to him when Captain Dunlop, who saw the boar glancing
back savagely, cried:

"Look out, Skinner! he will be round in a moment; keep your horse well in
hand!"