The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-10-28
II Boar Bant il, .
a the .Hrdenfte$.
ITW WAS the fag-end of the London sea-

IT WAS the fagend of the London sea-
| son. Everyone was out of town, and
PallMall, Piccadiliy, Bond street and the
streets of clubdom generally wore a de-
serted, forlorn aspect, most depressing
TO one familiar with them during the
fashionable season. Being one of the
sauntering listlessly in the direction of
nv club, wondering if could find some
other unlucky wight in the same pre-
dicament, with whom to exchange con-
aolences over cigar, and who would
aid me in deciding which of the numer-
Gus invitations to accept-sent me by a
somewhat numerous circle of friends.
Fishing, I cared nothing for; it was
too early for grouse, ptarmgan or deer,
and the hunting season would not COM
mence until November. As / was debat
ing this important question pro and
con, hearty slap on the shoulder
aroused me from my reverie. Turning,
| recognized a man with whom | had
shot big game in many parts of the
world-Baron Ton-Ton de NJ, as he was
known among his familiars.
"Why, who would have thought of
finding you in town." said my friend,
Familiarity linking his arm in mine.
Don't know where to spend your long
leave, eh? What do you say to taking
run over to my shooting box in the
Ardennes? can show you some pretty
good sport among the pigs. Oh, it's
not like pig-sticking in India-quite
different, you know. There is a decided
element of danger in it. so dear to the
heart of the true sportsman. Come, is II
go?"
By this time we had reached the club.
and in few minutes it was arranged
that was to meet De NJ. in Brussels, in
month from that time. Truth to tell,
! the proposition jumped with my incli
nations, for | had long been anxious to
try conclusions with Sus critatus of the
forest of the Ardennes, the conqueror of
the Indian pigs. | had heard many
stories of his extraordinary ferocity.
agility and quickness in his encounters
win his natural enemy, man. | knew
that for hundreds of years this truly
game beast had tried the nerve and skill
of the most noted sportsmen the
world has produced, in which the quad
fuped had more than once proved him.
self more than a match for his intrepid
blpedal assailant.
My preparations were soon made: the
smoke and fog of London were left be-
nind' Brussels was reached. and in a
lew hours we had arrived at my friends
shooting-boN, which was situated not
'ar from Sedan, SO memorable for the
disastrous surrender of Napoleon III.
io the Germans on the fatal September
q, 1870.
lhe forest itself covers an area of a
Httle over 1000 square miles. and is one
oi The few forests in Europe which.
thanks TO the wise policy of the French
forest department., is still in its prime
'al state. The game. which consists of
req and fallow deer, wild pigs, and num-
erous species of the feathered kingdom,
rigidly preserved by the landed pro-
pfietors in its vicinity, who possess
seignorla! rights subject to the pay
ment Of a small impost to the govern
ment. The wild pigs which roam over
.nis vast extent of territory are, of
soafse, the most strictly protected of
ai The game in the region. During the
eiose or breeding season, which is from
me middle of November to the end OF
pecember, when the sows leave the
wars and retire into secret Businesses
VI the forest with their litters, to pro-
tect them from the ferocious attacks
:. 'neir mates, is especially rigiGly OBJ.
served no animals being hunted dur.
.ng That period; for the animals, fero.
s'oas as they are at all times, are es.
teeiai!y so in the breeding season. In
me summer and autumn is the best time
sor the sport. for then the boars are
aone and eve ready for fray.
Ihe first few days of my stay were
sesoted to making preparations for a
siaha oattu. and my host held long
aug mysterious conferences with his
.a,'nfui henchmen; and finally one
she autumnal morning found us al
ae saddle, surrounded by some half
Injured oeaters and gamekeepers lead
ssssrai couples OF powerful boar