The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1905-05-05
BkS k%AS SSBA 81 81 ~ SSkA 81
| A "Pig~ Sticking
| Adventure " ~
Of ALL the many different varieties
of sport in India, none can compare
Bv CAPTAIN HARRY GROVER

nt ALL the many QlHeTeut varieties
of sport in India, none can compare
with boar huntington ''pig-sticking,'
as it is there more generally termed
for excitement, and that most alluring
OF all elements of sport, certain amount
of risk which all who participate know
they will have to run.
I have had more than one dangerous
adventure with wild elephants, tigers and
bears, but l never have been in such
real peril as | was on the first occa
sion that tried my hand at pig-stick-
ing Those who have never seen a
wild boar when brought to bay wound
ed. cannot possibly form any conception
of what dangerous. vindictive and for
midable animal it is.
On one occasion, party of three Of
us started from Barrackpoor, large
military cantonment near Calcutta, on
a pig-sticking expedition. We were all
mounted on Arab steeds, which were
thoroughly trained to the sport, and
which had withstood many charge
from an infariated boar. This trip
had been planned some days previous
ly, and our servants and beaters had
been sent on ahead of us. When We
reached the rendezvous, few miles out
of Barrackpoor, we found our COM
rades anxiously awaiting our arrival,
with the intelligence of several wild
boars having been seen to enter a patch
of jungle about mile distant from
,hor nit
We made all our preparations, looked
to the tightening Of our saddlegirths,
and with our spears in hand we at once
set off, followed by our heaters.
They had hardly entered the patch of
jungle, and commenced to beat, when
out rushed a huge boar, one of the
largest we had ever seen. My horse was
young, and frantic with excitement, and
it was with difficulty that l could hold
him. But it was not the first time l
had ridden after boars, and at last l
managed to bring him into something
like control. My two companions, Aus
tin and Staples, were close behind me-
and we soon closed on the boar, with
such even advantage that it would have
been almost impossible to say who led.
For 200 or 300 yards we raced togeth-
er, each with an eye on the boar,
but every now and then, glancing
at each other, the great object being
to secure first spear'-that is, to lie
the FIRST to draw blood from the boar.
1t is not always the first rider that
tho
course, the lead gives great advan-
tage, and for that reason there is al
ways great struggle for it.
The boar was but few lengths ahead
of us, showing evident signs that the
pace was beginning to tell upon him;
and just then drew little in advance
of my companions, and my gallant nag,
answering to the spurs, with my spear
extended far in front, l tried to stick
the boar. But at that very moment he
gave sharp turn and my horse, dash
ing past, I lost my opportunity. Aus
tin, who was close behind, took advan-
tage Of the sudden turn, and wheeling
his horse round, met the boar, and sue
ceeded in touching him, calling out:
First spear!"
The boar now made another sharp
turn, and it was all that Staples could
do to avoid the charge of the maddened
brute, which now ran behind a low hedge
and Rugged it so close as to render it
difficult for us to get him out. Deter
mined that he should come out into the
open, I came up alongside of him and drove
my spur deep into his side as he made
a sudden half turn and tried to charge.
My horse swerved a little, and he be-
haved nobly, and withdrawing my spear,
I was soon ready for action.
Wheeling around, met Austin, who
had just received a charge from the
boar, and a serious broadside collision
took place between us. Both of us were
shaken in our seats, and Austin's horse
nearly fell, but we managed to pull our
selves and our nags together, and the
attack was renewed I, r. =