St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1897-11-13
II Boar 6unt IN "a
q tbe Trdeillte$.


TT WAS the fag-end of the London sea-
4 son. Everyone was out of town, and
Pail Mall, 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, I was
sauntering listlessly in the direction Of
my club, wondering if I could find some
other unlucky wight in the same pre-
ddcament, with whom to exchange con-
dolences over cigar, and who would
aid me in deciding which of the numer-
GUS invitations to accept-sentmeb by a
somewhat numerous circle OF friends.
Fishing, I cared nothing for; it was
too early for grouse, ptarmigan or deer,
and the hunting season would not COM
,nence until November. AsIwas debat-
ing this important question pro and
con, hearty slap on the shoulder
aroused me from my reyerie. Turning,
I 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,
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? I Icanshow yousome 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, 80 dear to the
heart of the true sportsman. Come, isit
a go?"
By this time we had reached the club,
and in few minutes it was arranged
that was to meet De M. in Brussels, In
a month from that time. Truth to tell,
the proposition jumped with my incli-
nations, for I 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. I 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
ruped had more than once proved him
self more than a match for his intrepid
bipedal assailant.
My preparations were soon made, the
smoke and fog of London were left be-
hind; Brussels was reached, and in a
few whours we had arrived atmy friends
which was situated not
far from Sedan, so memorable for the
surrender of Napoleon III.
to the Germans on the fatal September
20. 1870.
The forest itself covers an area Of a
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, wildpigs, and num-
erous species Of the feathered kingdom,
is rigidly preserved by the landed pro-
prietors in its vicinity, who possess
seignorial rights subject to the pay
ment of q small impost to the govern
nent. 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
when the soWs leave the
boars and retire into secret businesses
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-
pecialiy so in the breeding season. In
the summer and autumnis 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
grand battu, and my host held long
and mysterious conferences with his
faithful henchmen; and finally one
bright autumnai 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 1t 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
N the forest, where the horses were
eft in charge of the grooms, and Hans,
The head gamekeeper, proceeded to as
sign us to our respective stations, Civ
ng us strict injunctions not TO stir
from thence on peril Of our lives. or to !!