Griggs courier., 1897-09-24
II Boar bant In =
. tbt Hrdtnne$.

:"
1T WAS the fag-end Of the London sea-
son. Everyone was out Of town, and
PallMal, Piccadilly, Bond street and the
streets of clubdom generally wore de-
serted, forlorn aspect, most depressing
to one familiar with them during the
fashionable season. Being one Of the
unfortunates still left in town, was
sauntering istlessly in the direction Of
my club, wondering if I could find some
other unlucky wight in the same pre-
dicament, with whom to exchange con-
dolences over a cigar, and who would
aid me in deciding which of the numer-
GUS invitations to accept-sent me by
somewhat numerous circle of friends.
Fishing, cared nothing for; it was
too early for grouse, ptarmigan 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,
I recognized 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,
familiarly 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 decided
element Of danger in it, so dear to the
heart of the true sportsman. Come, is it
a 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
a 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
with his natural enemy, man. Iknew
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
ruped had more than once proved him
self more than a match for his intrepid
biredal assailant,
My preparations were soon made; the
smoke and fog of London were left be-
hind; Brussels was reached, and in
few hours we had arrived at my friends
shooting-box, which was situated not
disastrous surrender of Napoleon III.
to the Germans on the fatal September
ca, 1870.
The forest itself covers an area of
little over 1000 square miles, and is one
of the few forests in Europe which.
thanks to the wise policy of the French
forest department., is still in it's prime
val state. The game, which consists of
red and fallow deer, wild pigs, and num-
erous species of the feathered kingdom,
is rigidly preserved by the landed pro-
prietors in it's vicinity, who possess
seignorial rights subject to the pay
ment of a small impost to the govern
men&. The wild pigs which roam over
this vast extent of territory are, Of
course, the most strictly protected Of
all the game in the region. During the
close or breeding season, which is from
the middle Of November to the end of
December, when the sows leave the
boars and retire into secret fastnesses
of the forest with their litters, to pro-
tect them from the ferocious attacks
of their mates, is especially rigidly OBJ
served, no animals being hunted dur
ing that period; for the animals, fero-
cious as they are at all times, are es-
pecially 20 in the breeding season. In
the summer and autumn is the best time
for the sport, for then the boars are
alone and ever ready for fray.
The first few days of my stay were
devoted to making preparations for a
grand battu, and my host held long
and mysterious conferences with his
faithful henchmen; and finally one
bright autumnal morning found us all
in the saddle, surrounded by some half
hundred beaters and gamekeepers lead
ing several couples of powerful boar
hounds in leashes. The baying of the
huge hounds, the shrill blasts Of the
sportsmen's horns and the shouts of the
men all combined to form scene which
stirred blood and sent it leaping wild
ly through the veins of the most phleg-
matte.
A short ride of about four miles
brought us to sort of natural clearing
in the forest, where the horses were
left in charge Of the grooms, and Hans,
the head gamekeeper, proceeded to as
sign US to our respective stations. Civ
dng us strict injunctions not to stir
from thence on peril Of our lives, or to