AFTER WILD PIGS: BEING THE ADVENTURES OF TWO BOYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2206, 11 June 1896, Page 51

AFTER WILD PIGS: BEING THE ADVENTURES OF TWO BOYS.

Br MusHAy Aston.

Chapter 11. Jem Smith was the name of their father's favourite attendant, and it was resolved that he should accompany the party, more especially as he had a pack of seven useful dogs, which he used for rabbiting, and Colonel Seymour wisely considered that Turk and Snap would not be sufficient for a successful hunt. Tnrk waa a well-bred retriever, and bad proved himself very useful with wild duck, but bis edacation as a pig hunter bad so far been neglected. Snap, again, was a fox terrier, useful enough as regards turning oat rabbits from their lairs, but although the pluckjest little fellow — ready, indeed, to face almost any living oreature— his size and weight rendered him of little value when pitted against a heavy and savage beast like a wild boar. Jem'a pack, however, were all animala of heavy build, mostly of the lurcher type, and although one was a pappy sadly in need of training, the others were veteran pig hunters, and one or two gave testimony in the shape of ugly scara of past warfare. Jem himself was of great experience as a huntsman, and had been a soldier under the colonel whilst; on service in Canada. He was a splendid shot, very cool where that quality was needed, and brave almost to a iav.lt; aad Colonel Seymour did wall in taking him with the party, as besides -bis other qualities in the field Jem was an excellent cook. In addition to the dogs a steady old pack horse was confided to bis charge ; and two tente, the spears, guns, and provisions were early one fine morning safely stowed away on the back of the faithful steed, and the. boys, mounted on their ponies, which were named respectively Chops and Steak, and their father on Saracon, set off at 7 *.to., almost before it was daylight. •Aunt Seymour was there to see that they had a substantial breakfast, and was most eorcltous that no article likely to be wanted on the journey was omitted from the commissariat. "Gjod-bye, auntie," shouted Heiry and Frank aa they cantered off, the hoofs of their little cobs striking fire aB they went, and their kind relative stood waving her handkerchief to them until they were lost to sight by a turn in the road. They soon were glad to steady their pace, and in reply to a cooee from their father turned Chops and Steak, and were soon trudging along at a Steady pace. "How far is it to the place where you recommend, Smith ? " asked the colonel. "About 18 miles, I reckon, sir," replied Smith. "Is the road bad?" ♦'Oh 1 no, sir; a bit steepisb in places, but nothing to speak of," replied the man. As (hey spoke two pukakl flew across their pain aod settled in some swampy ground a few yards distant. "Ob, father," said Harry, "may we try to get them ? " And consent having been given, Chops and Steak were quickly dismounted and the gnns obtained from Jam, on which Turk and Snap bfgan to play up come , most peculiar antica--T qik turning round m frantic efforts to bite, his own tail, and Snap giving forth ' some short yapping barks which the lads ' bad some difficulty in repressing. Jem's pack, moreover, showed a disposition to join them, but being well under command they ,were readily reduced to submission. Then Harry and Frank, each with his gun at present, followed their steady old Turk, a»d suddenly they saw him stand perfectly still, and then first one pukaki rose and then the other, and in less time than it takes to relate the Incident both boyo fired, with the result tbat Harry shot Mb bird dead, but that which should have fallen to Frank's gun made off without the ruffling of a- single feather. " Well done, Harry," said bis father ; and then he added, " Batter luck next- time, Franky, my boy." «■ Ob, father," gaid Frank, " I'm afraid I shut my eyes when I fired." " Did you, old fellow ? " laughed bis parent. "Anyway, Ido admire your open confession. I believe, all the same, that some d*y you'll make a sportsman." " I'm afraid not, father, for Harry says I'm a little funk," said Frank. , " Did he, the rash boy I We shall see," ■ returned the colonel, *' ' About 11 the cavalcade reached a most - tempting camping place, where a little streamlet afforded a refreshing supply of \ purs water, and here Jem soon made a fire and boiled the billy, while the horses were allowed to crop the luxurious herbage which grew around. Jem thought that, three more hour.B would see them at the end of their journey, m they were unable to proceed beyond a walking pace, as the pack horse was heavily laden. The colonel therefore resolved to remain where they were for a couple of hours, and told the boys to explore the creek while be enjoyed the luxury of » cigar and Jem smoked bis pipe. The

dogs in the meantime dispersed in the scrub, and soon their barking announced that they had discovered something, and shortly after two of the faithful animals brought a rabbit each, which they had captured, and laid them at their master's feet. Needless to say, it was a very easy matter to divide these among so many hungry creatures. Harry and Frank returned after a time with a quantity of freshwater crayfish they bad caught in the stream, and kind Jem bad them cooked in five minutes, and they were pronounced by all to be a great treat. " Do they have these orayflsh in England, father ? " asked Harry. " No, my boy ; but they have a fish something similar in size called a prawn, which ia highly esteemed by gourmands, Aud they are very expensive, too." " Are these crayfish dear ? " "No, Harry," said his father. "As a matter of fact I have never Been any of them offered for sale in the Dunedin fishmongers', but in London they would be at least a penny each." "They must ba rich in London," sighed Harry.