Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/57

Rh many of you a match for one?" "We are not a match for the tiger." "I'll capture the tiger if you'll only follow my instructions. Where does that tiger live?" "On yonder mountain," they replied. Making preparations for war he caused the hogs to be drilled at night, saying, "War, indeed, is carried on in three modes: by immense numbers of troops, by hosts of chariots, and hosts of waggons." He therefore went about with an immense army (of hogs). As he was well acquainted with the slope of the ground be determined that it would be best to carry on war in this region (where the hogs were living). In the centre he arranged and placed those that were suckling hogs along with their dams ; then he apportioned a place to the old sows, next to the hoglings; then to the adult hogs; and, lastly, he distributed the long-tusked hogs fit for war, very powerful hogs, to the number of forty thousand individuals. So in this part he made and placed a strong array of forces. In front of his own position he caused a circular pit to be dug, and behind it he constructed a rampart (dyke) with a gradual incline like a mountain slope.

The dawn arose e'en while he, with his fighting-hogs to the number of sixty or seventy, was going about directing operations in this place and that, encouraging them to be of good heart and to fear nothing. When the tiger woke up he set out, aware that it was time (for feeding), and stood with his face toward the hogs. Standing on the mountain summit he opened his eyes and beheld the hogs. The carpenter's hog gave orders to his followers to stare back at the tiger (with a defiant air), and they did so. The tiger opened his jaws and drew in a breath. The hogs also did the same. The tiger relieved himself; so did all the hogs. In this manner they imitated whatever he did. The tiger thought to himself: "Formerly, when I used to look at the hogs, they tried to run off, but were unable to escape. To-day my enemies do not take to flight, but actually imitate whatever I do. There is, too, a commander of these hogs, standing on a rising ridge of ground (below). I don't think I shall get the better of them to-day." Then he turned back and went forthwith to his lair.

But there was a certain false hermit who ate of the flesh of the