AFTER WILD PIGS:

Otago Witness, Issue 2211, 16 July 1896, Page 51

AFTER WILD PIGS :

BmZUi THE ADVBNTUIttfiS OF TWO BOYS.

B? MxmBAT, Aston.

Chapter VII. (Conclusion.)

'The fits t oare the colonel very naturally

felt was for the safety of his sons; so turn- • ing to Jem, who followed olose at the heels of his master, he said in a whisper,

"Better take the lads out' of danger, Jem," and pointing 'to a gully which gradually sloped away to ' the right, and in which flourished a luxuriant growth of fern and

cabbage trees, with here and there tree 3of larger growth, he added, "G3t down the gully, Jem." • So beckoning with Ms fioger to the boys ,to follow him, Jem iurned, atj.d father reluctantly our young adventurers followed. , A (ew yards down the" gully a broadleaf of stately seemed to & ft" 3rd a shelter for'half a dozen lade, "and telling Harry and

Frank to remain behind the trunk of the friendly tree, aud to keep.a sharp look-out, tm could not resist the temptation to rejoin s matter and Jack.

They had not proceeded far, and Jem overtook them creeping on their hands and knees in an attempt to approach a herd of four cows and a bull, which were feeding a little way off. Luckily the wind was blowing half a gale from the direction of the cittla, and ths presenoe oE th£ hunters was as yet unnoticed.

They could make out the bull, whioh was a huge tawny-yellow-ooloured beast, with immense horns, and a great growth of shaggy hair on his head and along bis baok. The aspoct of tbe animal was peculiarly fie ice, and the colonel remarked to himself on its strange resemblance to the American buffalo in- build, with comparatively small hindquarters and h ; gh shoulders. The colonel uuddenly became aware of

the presence of Jem, and bis brow olouded aa he looked inquiringly at the man, who thoroughly understood what was meant, aud replied, " They're all right, sir— nigh a big broadleaf."

11 Let 'im 'aye It, sirl " urged Jack, as the bull, evidently susp'clous, stood for a moment looking hard in their direotion. The colonel took a steady aim, bnt, sad to relate, the bullet missed its mark altogether, and struck instead a flue young heifer, which fell,' mortally wounded.

Tiie annoyance fait by all on this disappointment cannot well ba described, but their feeling of < regret was changed to one bordering on concern when the creatures, headed by the bull', dashed away, pursued by the dogs, which could no longer be restrained, in the direction of the gully, where in fancied security, lay our heroes. The boys had heard the report of their fathei'd gun, and ' immediately after the trampling of the infuriated and thoroughly alarmed cattle, whioh, combined with the baying of: the dog», made up a volume of sound not easily to be forgotten.

"They're coming this way 1 " skid Frank.

And sure enough the next rainuto the immense tawny "bull was charging down the gully. Suddenly ho caught Eight of ths boys, who stood their ground manfully, roady to dodge the monster round tbe broadleaf if neceefary. The creature with wonderful agility came to a standstill. This was their opportunity, and both firing together — they weie not above 15 yards distant — their shots, directed at -the bull's head, told with such effect that ths animal collapsed instantly, never to rue again, for Jack was in at the death in less than & minute, and promptly prevented tbe fear cf misobief by a stab at the back of the beast's neck at the top of the spine. "Well, you've wiped my eye this time, boys," eaid the colonel. 11 What P did you miss him, father?" inquired Harry. ' ' j "Yes, Master Harry," said Jack. "Your ■ 'father 'aimed at tha pigeon and killed the, • crow ' jfchia time, .and no mistake. I .' 41 WhatTdq you mean 1 " asked Harry. "Why, lie's killed one of our best tarns heifer* I? returned Jack. ■ • x ' " You 'don't/say so ! " exclaimed the colonel, who looked terribly put'outr' '' ' *\""'* "But it ain't no consequence," said Jack, 11 for I wanted a supply of beef for the winter, and I would gladly have lost six heifers to git rid of that ugly customer there," indicating the bull, whioh now lay harmless enough, although still a fearful-looking object even in death. "I wasn't quite used to your gun, Jack, I think I " explained the colonel. "Very likely that was it, sir," goodnaturedly replied' the other. " Well, Jack, we've done splendidly, thanks to you and Jem hero," said the" colonel, "and I suppose the next thing will be for you to skin the beasts aud give the dogs a feed. The boys will help you." Thereupon the men set to work to skin the animals, which was a work entailing some labour and skill. Then, lighting a fire, they soon had some nice tender beefsteaks

grilling; and a hearty meal was partaken of t>y all, and the dogs received their chare, it may be imagined.

Jack reserved the hindquarters of the heifer and the skins for himself, and, hanging these up in a tree out of harm's way until such time tis he oonld. return with his horse and bring them to his camp, the party tramped back to Jack's hut, where, having partaken of a billyf ul of tea, they invited Jack to pass the night at their camp— an invitation which was gratefully accepted. They found the hone? and dogs as they bad left them, and nothing had been disturbed in the cave. Jem had taken the trouble, kind fellow that he was, to bring bis dogs a huge piece of ball's flesh, which was quickly disposed of by b]B canine friends, who with wagging tails looked eagerly for more*

That night was, the boys declared, one of the happiest they ever passed. The colonel told a number of his hunting experiences in Omada; Jem followed suit; and Jack's recountal of various adventnres in the bush formed such delightful themes that the hour of midnight was gone .before the party could be broken up. The morning following they found it a hard wrench to turn their steps homewards ; but before doing so Jack's supply of tobacco was again replenished, and although he persisted in refusing an offer of money which tho colonel in vain tried to thrust upon him, he gratefully accepted an invitation to spend a week a little later on as tbe guest of Jem and the boys, who will endeavour to^howhimsome return for theii grand sport, which they can never forget, and which will bear retelling to their schoolmates after the holidays.

(Concluded,)