Year: 1873

VI my oucihAoS, iOaNihS a party VI tcii SILL w
keep up the blockade. 1t was only about
three o'clock, and l knew that my friends
would not return to camp until sundown, and
even then my absence would cause no alarm,
as they would conjecture that was hunting !;
and so the only thing i could do was TO sit in
drew nigh, and then open fire on the brutes
again, and trust to the chance that the report
of my rifle might bring some of our party to
see what was up. 40 8ASaW NWY


Hour after hour dragged on, but the day
seemed never7ending and from the cramped
quarters had to occupy, and the extreme
hardness of my seat my position was, as may
be easily imagined, anything but pleasant
one. Surely, | thought, the beggars won't
stop here all day they must get tired of it
before long. But no, there they stuck, and if
ever any set of beasts, or even men, showed
indomitable patience, these peccaries did.


By sunset found the hardness of my seat
becoming uncomfortable, and | shifted my posi-
tion to standing one, but my legs were so
cramped that I had to hold on to keep from
falling. At the time that thought my com
panions would be returning | began to bawl
out at the top of my voice, but no answering
call came back, neitherdid the pigs seem at
all inclined to bulge. So, after half an hour S
incessant coo-ee-ing," | determined to begin
with my rife again and picking out one of
the largest of my beleaguers, | settled his
hash. Ten minutes after another received his
dose.


/ had now only two balls left, and hardly
knew if it would be better to use these, or to
reserve themfor alittle later. 8 However, had
plenty of powder and caps. So knew that,
after had done all | could against the infuri-
ated animals, | could still keep up a fusillade
as signal to my friends that something out
of the common had occurred to me. So two
more bit the dust, thus reducing my much too
attentive little friends to ten.


By this time evening began to close in, and
| became much afraid that might be freed
for the night. had had nothing to eat or drink,
savea cup or two1of tea, since the preceding
days dinner, and hunger and intense thirst
now added to my discomfort the latter desire,
however, somewhat allayed by chewing the
leaves of my tree and another good resolu-
ton was made namely, never to stir again out
of camp, supposing ever got into it again,
without carrying a store of biscuit. Suddenly
I heard the report of distant shot, and hope
once more reigned supreme. So, pouring in
double charge of powder, rammed well home,
| fired in reply to it; and then loaded and fired
half u dozen times, as quickly as | could.
Presently heard IA shot much nearer, then
began to shout as loudly as / could. Soon
after heard one of our party sing out, "What's
up? Where are you?'' CG#


Here" shouted, cup q tree-treed by
hogs; and, by Jove, they'll put you up one in
about a second if they find you. Cut back to
camp and bring all hands back"


''All right, old boy" was the reply. 'Sit
quiet won't be long,


In about half an hour my friends arrived,
and the first intimation had of their approach
was a-cruslling volley,t which laid more than
half the hogs dead. A charge followed and
in few moments the coast was clear of all
but the dead and wounded, and l was free to
descend from my leafy bower This / did
manage to do, but was so stiff that it was
not until my legs. had been well rubbed, and
several nips of brandy absorbed, that / was
able to walk or even stand upright. We got
back to camp all right, but | ever during my
sojourn in Mexico kept sharp lookout for
hogs.