The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-05
ARR BLOWS !!
-Four Years on . New BEDFORD whaior. Ne.
Tag the straightforward Tale or
Plain saiermsn.
CAPT. J. Il. b. ROBINSON.
osp,rtehs 1892. BY ,. H. .. Rootn.oA
CHAPTER XXI.
A RUN ASHORE.
OR

RUN ASHORE.
On May 2 1879. we once more saw the rocky
headlands Of New Zealand. and on the Same
day entered the outer harbor. where we were
obliged to anchor until the flood tide enabled
us to enter tho narrow passage leading to our
old anchorage In the inner bay. No sooner
was the anchor down and the sails furled than
boat was sent ashore for our mail. and soon
returned with large bag OF letters and pa
pers. while We all ined the ships side. specu-
lating as to the probable nature Of our nows
from loved ones on the othcr side OF the globe.
At such times all discipline Is forgotten. and
oil hands cluster about tho after hatch. upon
which the Captain Is seated with the mail bag
before him. As soon as tho superscrption on
each letter or paper was announced by him
some face would light up ioyously and the
lucky owner would elbow his way to tho frontto
receive It A kind friend in Boston had made 1t
practice regularly to mail bundle OF papers
to me every month, consequently l was the
happy recipient Of near!y ono hundred news-
papers in addition to a score OF letters
on this occasion.
We were given twenty four hours to digest
our homo letters. and then the usual routine
OF life In port began. We scrubbed ship.
painted ship. RATED water. boated of wood.
repaired rigging. and. In short. performed tho
same work as usual. and when We wcre ready
for sea each watch was given three days liberty
on alternate days BY this time had mado
many friends. as I went ashore nearly every
evening. Among others were two brothors
named Maxwell. who lived some twenty miles
away on n large farm. They had often invited
me to visit their home. promising mo rare
sport. but the distance had hitherto made it
impossible Inow resolved to ask permission
OF tho Captain to take my three days liberty
all at once. and. II possible. to accept their in
vitation. Tho old man listened to my request
and said. with quiZzical look: Want to run
away agan?" l assured him nothing was
further from MY intention. ana no evil
IDENTITY beloved me. for no told me
could go. and the next day found m yself on
horseback following my friends over the rocky
hills. which are In places hardly safe for evcn
the sure footed ponies. We arrived at noon.
and was too tired after my unaccustomed
exercise to begin my sport. SO they left me in
the company Of an elder sister. who was their
housekeeper. and went over to lake near by.
returning in less than half m hour with pair
OF wild ducks which constituted our supper.
Rabbits. pheasants, and pigeons arc very
plentiful. while upon the lake largo locks Of
ducks nre always to DO found.
The only dangerous animal In that section Is
the wild boar. which grows to an enormous
size. They are seldom known to attack u man
unless they are wounded. but onco aroused
they are terrible enemies. They are always
hunted on horseback. and tho method OF kill
Ing them is with spears. but one must be an
expert horseman. rs 1 found to my sorrow.
Early the next morning we set out mounted
on our wlry little peaiaS and accom- panied By
two trained dogs. Ny friends. named respec-
lively Jack and jim. carried their guns siung
upon their backs and u long spear at their
saddle bow. but reversed this order in my
own person and carried my gun in my hand.
hoping to get II shot ut some smaller game.
for was an invetcrato sportsman. and wing
sho oting was always my especial delight
My friends kindly set the dogs to boating the
bush. and had tho pleasure OF bringing down
several large pheasants in quick succession.
whilo my companions We're evidently much
surprised that II sailor should shoot 50 we'll.
We had proceeded about two miles from the
house and had bagEed all the birds could
conveniently carry wncn suddenly | heard a
shout from Jack. who was short distance
ahead. followed By a load sn ort and Il crashn.,
among the bushes. 1t seemed that Jack had
ridden almost upon huge boar lying asleep
In the sun. who now went tearing through the
thick fax at his best speed, jim rode rapidly
70 the right. calling at the same time to mo to
remain whore was.
l needed no second bidding for although a
good shot on foot. was wretchcd horsemnn.
and had no desire to DO gorod to death. as I
1ct sure would DO tn, cnse should l attempt
TO loin in the sport.
could hear tho shouts Of tho mon and tn
ponios snorting and crashing among tho I'M
dorbrush and my horse trcmbled in every
limb. As tho sounds grew nenrer found it
impossible to control him any longer so dis
mounted and turnnI him loOsa ~ Int
whistle from his owner would READILY call
him back.
l placed my spear against tho trunk OF a
large tree. whose low. sweeping branches
would Afford me a safe retreat. and waited
ahxiously. Tho ground Wis comparatively
opon where was stationed. as we had lust en-
teredth outer edge Of "A largo wood
suddenly the bushes partsi. and. with a
furious grunt OF pain m Old boar crashed
througn !h'o the open space. while close be-
hinu MN came tho two r!dors. who now
chars'o On etAer 500 - him and plunged
thelr spears into his Na1I3. evidently avoid
ing his v!tals to prolonr tn, snort for M.
ediilcation. Tho boar womb FUR, .,,,.I
upon one onemy only to receive n frnsh ,ror,,
from tho other. and this WAS repant,I s.,or,I
tlmcs. until tho huge boast WAS n tarrihIa
s'eht mo p1ood poured from his wound.J
quarters and his mouth was cover.d ,n,,,'
foam as he CRASHED his wicked-ookiny tnsrs
and charged again aud again at tho norias
who seemed to enjoy the fun as nuch -,
their riders. 40
1t was cruel sport to mo. and callo3 ONT ~
my friends from my perch IN thetre to winch
had prudoatly retroated. ing thorn Ia and
tho torture. which they did ut once Ido..
scehdcd to the ground. and my trianls Iis
mounted and Began cuttin. tho tusks from IN.
boar leaving their arms u few feet away ON
tho ground. | had taken scarcely a dozen
steps when heard a loud cracking short
distance away. Surprising 1t was my pony.
who had galloped otY when the boar appeared.
lshoutod: Il say. Jim. Just whistle for my
pony. hear him close by"
He com piled. and was Just wondering a,
the Intelligence OF the animal when out from a
thicket dashed another boar. doubtless the
mate OF the one my friends had killed. He
stopped short. not ten yards away from my
sHo companions. sniifei the air once or twice.
and then apparently caught sight OF his
human anamiaS for n stnat ain 10.