AFTER WILD PIGS: BEING THE ADVENTURES OF TWO BOYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 51

AFTER WILD PIGS : BEING THE ADVENTURES OF TWO BOYS.

By Mubbat Aston,

Chapter Vl.V 1 .

Although the boys were naturally somewhat crestfallen at the rather heavy fire of .ridicule from their father and Jem,, they .were' not "long in regaining their usual good spirits, and when Jem, who seemed half ashamed of the part he had taken "in chaffing the young gents," as he put it, suggested to the colonel that he knew a very likely spot for pigeon and kaka, that gentleman, who was in capital spirits, readily fell in with the idea, and ( exclaimed : "The very thing, Jem; let the boys try their Bkill at the birds." " Now then, young gentlemen, pick up your guns, and I promise you some rare eportl" cried, Jem. ' Harry and Frank obeyed with alacrity, and the party forthwith made a start for " the bird country," as Frank called it, They had not: . to proceed far. A tramp of a few minutes' duration brought them to a part of the bush where the,rimn and miro, both berry-produoing trees, flourished, and pointing towards the upper branches of a •' giant of the forest," Jem whispered t11 See, there they are, four or five jolly big pigeons. Let 'em have it 1 " But tha boys strained their eyes in vain. They could not see any living thing. "Oan'tyousee'emJ". said Jem.- "I can, five 1 of 'em. Look I " And then following the direction indicated. by hiß forefinger,* both lads at the same moment saw the birds as they sat nearly in a row quite motionless. ■ > ; " Now, Master Harry, fire at that fellow on the right. You take the one on the left, Frank I " said Jem. x Takipg steady, aim, both boys fired, and to their inexpressible delight each was rewarded by seeing his bird fall heavily to • the ground. Both their guns, were singlebarrelled breach-loaders 30 they hastened at the colonel's suggestion to reload, and on casting their eyes upwards again they were surprised to find .that the three birds stili sat stupidly in the same place, apparently unooncerned at the fate of their com- , panions. "Quietly now,- boys. They'll not move in r hurry," said their father. Two more reports filled the air, and again two birds proclaimed the success of the young , sportsmen. Bat the remaining pigeon thought it time to move ; and, before they could either of them reload, it had flown quickly out of Bight. " Pick up your game, boys. I don't think you'll get more here," said the colonel. '"What lovely birds.. It does seem a pity," said Frank, who was regretfully regarding the lovely plumage of one of them he held in bis band, "to shoot the poor ■ things ; and they are so tame, too." "Aye, Master Frank, that's so; but they do make a surprisin' fine meal, as you'll find presently," exclaimed Jem. "Yes," chimed in their father, "they're really excellent for food. I think they are nicer than kaka ; don't you, Jem 7 " ."Kaka!" repeated Harry. "What are they like, father?"

" They are a kind of parrot, my son, and like the pigeon are a welcome addition to the menu of the sportsman." " Are there any in this part Jem 1 " he inquired of that' individual. " Hundreds at times," replied Jem. " Bat I'll soon bring them if there are any in the vicinity." And Jem olosely imitated the cry of the bird, with such success that in a very few minutes no less than six of them, attracted by Jem's ventrilcquial powers, had fallen to the gans ■of the lads, who were delighted at their success. " Welirboys, I declare you have done remarkably well," said the colonel, at which both boys looked hugely gratified, and the whole party wore the broadest of self-satisfied smiles. " I think I- prefer pigeon and kaka shooting to pig-stiokiDg," said Harry. " It's certainly safer," returned Frank with" a sly grin; and seeing that Harry looked a little hurt at this covert allusion he mischievously added," I like it, too, because the trees are big and easy to climb in case a wild boar came along 1 " •'Wild- boars are nowhere?," remarked Jem. "There's far wuss dangers than them I" "Why, whatever do you mean? What can be worse 7 " eagerly queried both lads. " Well, I mean a wild bull's an out-and-away wuss oritter to have at your heels 1 " replied Jem. "Are we at all likely to see one 2" asked Harry. ." Yes, master Harry, but not to-day. They are far too shy, and although' l've seed tracks of 'em made quite lately, the noise of the guns will have driven them far away Into the. bnsh.K 1 Here the colonel announced that he thought- it was time for dinner, and they accordingly made their way back to camp, where an excellent meal was soon prepared land discussed, by all with true hunters', appetites, One oS the courses consisted of

roast pigeon and kaka, both of whioh were pronounced a great treat by the boys, who declared in favour of the kaka for preference. While the men enjoyed their tobacco, the question of wild cattle cropped up again. "Do you think we have any chance of coming across any cattle, Jem 1 " queried the colonel. " Indeed, Ido that, sir, " replied the man. "'Specially," he continued, "if you can find my old chum Jack Mason this afternoon." "Who may jack Mason be 1 "asked the colonel. " Well, sir, he's a shepherd, or stockman, or boundary rider. He's got a hut about three miles from this, and if we manage to catch 'im at 'ome he'll put us up for the night and lay us on to the slant of some good fun by daylight to-morrer," said Jem. 11 Why so early, Jem 7 " asked Harry. 41 Well, the critturs most allurs feeds In the early morning before the break of day, and that'll be our chance of getting a slap at 'em," replied Jem. " But we must start soon," he continued, " for should Jack be away W3 shall 'aye to come 'ome agin." Having attended to the horses they then proceeded to secure such of the dogs as they thought might interfere with the success of their veuture, iuoluding the pup. This was easily done by means of twisted flax, and I they were Boon, on their way, regardless of the howls of discontent from their canine friends they had temporarily left behind. •'Jack has several dogs of his own," explained Jem, " and in huntin' wild cattle only such as are wellin hand can be relied on." They soon had traversed the distance between their camp and the hut occupied by* Jack' Mason, on approaching which Jem sent forth a peculiarly piercing cooey, which was speedily answered by the object of their visit, who came forth hurriedly, attended by five, dogs, who set up a loud bark of welcome and rushed forth to greet our adventurers. (To he continued.)