Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/487

Rh master that he fired a hasty ill-directed shot. The brute's notice and fury at once turned upon Jack, who prudently took to his heels, while I attempted to check the career of the boar by a shot, which, however, only slightly wounded it. Jack stumbled and fell over the root of a tree, just as the animal came up with him. ‘Help! murder,’ shouted he; and if the other dogs had not then arrived, and all together tackled the boar, I fear it would have been a case of murder indeed! As it was, the poor fellow got mauled and trampled upon dreadfully.

“As I was waiting for an opportunity to fire without any risk of hitting Jack, Pounce rushed through the air and darted upon the beast, and Fritz came quickly up and shot it dead with a pistol.

“While we were helping Jack along, and passing a place where the boar had been grubbing, I noticed some such curious knotty roots or tubercles, that I brought away specimens. Are they worth anything, do you think? they have a strong smell.”

“If I may trust my nose,” said I, “you have brought something by no means to be despised. Yes,” I continued, putting them to my lips, “these are very fine truffles! Taste them, Fritz.”

“Indeed they are excellent" said he; “very different from the tough, leathery things I remember in Europe: these are tender and well-flavoured."

“Because they are fresh,” said I. “You have before tasted those only which have been brought from a distance. They are found in different parts of Europe, buried at a depth of ten or twelve inches in the soil of oak or beech woods. A small dog is employed to hunt for them, who perceives their musky odour in a singularly acute way, and at once scratches at the spot where they lie.”

“Have the truffles no leaves or stalks,” enquired Fritz, “by which they might be found without the help of the dog?”