Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/26

 10 LIFE IN JAVA.

I had not long waited in this position, before the sound of sometbing approaching called my atten- tion, and warned me to be ready. Crash, crash went the dried and withered leaves under the stealthy tread of some animal. " Now for a tiger," thought I, determined to be prepared for the worst ; but no out rushed a fierce boar, his back bristling with rage, and his tusks ready to tear whatever came within his reach. "Now I have him!" thought I ; and with the delight of a sportsman, but with rather too much of the excitement common to novices in jungle sport, I fired, striking the animal in the hind cjuai'ter, and making him stagger under my shot. Then drawing my dagger, I stood ready to defend myself, expecting that the ferocious animal would rush headlong upon me. As I was left unassailed, I concluded that he was sagacious enough to consider " discretion as the better part of valour," for when the smoke cleared away, he Avas gone ! I walked to the spot, and found a

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