The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-11-21

highest authorities for
 its healthfult1ess.
 toughened nose is seized by vice, from which he can not escape. He is speedily crushed to a jelly, and he who has so often lived upon the pestilent reptiles goes now to make the dinner one, as a payment for the ravages he has com mitted upon his species I have heard a berraco, when seized by one of these monsters, utter such piercing squeals of agony that he was easily heard for miles away; and the crushing of his bones in the voluminous stress resem- bled the rapid discharge of small-arms.
 The tusks of the wild boar, especially those of the lower jaw, are so long and sharp that he makes the same use of them that bun does of his horns, The upper ones rest directly upon the lower, and their constant attrition soon wears the point into broad and sharp edge, These, united together, form perfect circle some six inches in diameter.
 As have stated, they are considered very choice game, and are eagerly sought by the roaming hunters. The incident that I am about to narrate oc- cured when I was young and inexperi- enced. The conseGences of my foolish indiscretion will go with me through life.
 There was a party of a dozen of us riding leisurely along. There was but one old hunter (our leader) with us. His prudent counsels were despised, so self-importtant and consequential were we. He and l were conversing about hunting. and he was imparting advice which 1t would have been we'll to have needed in after years.
 "A hunter never gains anything by rashness," said he "Ihe safest plan, Gentillino, is to keep cool, and have your wits about you
 But how is a fellow to keep cool when into an exciting chase? Suppose jaguar or padrope is in the question, and he is just as much determined upon your life as you are determined upon his? It strikes me that neither one of you would be very cool at such a time"
 T do not mean to say, my young friend, that you must seek to prevent your heart from beating faster, or your blood coursing faster through your veins; even I, who was hunter before you were born, could not do that if wished. But understand what I mean: t@ ,Jf k ever you do in the scene of danger before you, you will do precisely the same thing that you would have done had you been given six months to de- liberate upon it.
 "A very safe rule, but methinks one that is followed by exceedingly few hunters. M
 '''It Is the only safe rule, neverthe- less
 T doubt strongly whether you are an implicit follower of your own doctrine" I remarked, with a smile.
 T am,' he replied, without evincing the least offense-"I am, strictly. I may not have been so at first, but years of experience have given me a steady hand and eye, which I think no danger can shake or make uncertain. When a few more years have passed over your head you will possess more judgment and deliberation."
 At this juncture cry was raised that game was in sight. We all rode up abreast of each other, and then halted.
 "Yonder are lot of hogs browsing by that pond," said the hunter. "I suppose you are anxious to assist us in procuring a dinner Do not forget. in doing so, that a berraco has been known to kill horse, and is by no means an insignificant foe"
 The next moment we were dashing over the plain, screaming and shouting, and the pigs, with grunts of alarm, fleeing at the top of their speed. As we were all provided with lances, we had no difficulty in bringing down all that was necessary for us. But there was one grizzly old boar who became en- ragged at the combined attack of three of us, and while running suddenly whirled around, all bursting with fury. his mouth covered with foam, and his eyes bloodshot and glaring, and stood at bay.
 Upon witnessing this, I set up shout. Bravo! old sultan; you are going to fight, are you? You ought never to have fled and allowed us to slay few of your beauties. But better late than never"
 Be careful, Gentillino." caled out my companion warningly His blood is up, and he means mischief" The rest of the party had witnessed the flight and pursuit of the boar; but supposing that we needed no assist l ance in dispatching him, did not ac- company us. The chase had led us off quite a distance from them, so there was no danger of our sport being inter rupted.
 All this time the boar stood grinding his teeth, champing the froth that dripped from his mouth, his eyes all on fire with anger Again and again we l raised our lances upon the brute; but he stood fmmovable as a rock, while they fell from him like hail. Seeing that nothing could be accomplished in this manner, and determined that the boar should not escape, I sprang from my horse, and drawing my sword, ad- vanced to attack him.
 The instant the brute saw me upon iFS1fy ha Jn pf lyon