light, charged straight at the nearest horseman. Its hide was as tough
as a Highland targe, and though L. delivered his spear, it turned the
weapon aside as if it was merely a thrust from a wooden pole. The old
_lungra_ made good his charge, and ripped L's. horse on the shoulder.
It next charged Pat, and ripped his horse, and cut another horse, a
valuable black waler, across the knee, laming it for life. Rider after
rider charged down upon the fierce old brute. Although repeatedly
wounded none of the thrusts were very serious, and already it had put
five horses _hors de combat_. It now took up a position under a big
'bhur' tree, close to some water, and while the boldest of us held back
for a little, it took a deliberate mud bath under our very noses.
Doubtless feeling much refreshed, it again took up its position under
the tree, ready to face each fresh assailant, full of fight, and
determined to die but not to yield an inch.

Time after time we rode at the dauntless cripple. Each time he charged
right down, and our spears made little mark upon his toughened hide.
Our horses too were getting tired of such a customer, and little
inclined to face his charge. At length 'Jamie' delivered a lucky spear
and the grey old warrior fell. It had kept us at bay for fully an hour
and a half, and among our number we reckoned some of the best riders
and boldest pig-stickers in the district.

Such was our sport in those good old days. Our meets came but seldom,
so that sport never interfered with the interests of honest hard work;
but meeting each other as we did, and engaging in exciting sport like
pig-sticking, cemented our friendship, kept us in health, and
encouraged all the hardy tendencies of our nature. It whetted our
appetites, it roused all those robust virtues that have made Englishmen
the men they are, it sent us back to work with lighter hearts and
renewed energy. It built up many happy, cherished memories of kindly
words and looks and deeds, that will only fade when we in turn have to
bow before the hunter, and render up our spirits to God who gave them.
Long live honest, hearty, true sportsmen, such as were the friends of
those happy days. Long may Indian sportsmen find plenty of 'foemen
worthy of their steel' in the old grey boar, the fighting tusker of
Bengal.

[Illustration: PIG-STICKERS.]

CHAPTER XI.

The sal forests.--The jungle goddess.--The trees in the jungle.
--Appearance of the forests.--Birds.--