Page:Xenophon by Alexander Grant.djvu/179

Rh will impede its running; it may then be tired out, and speared by the hunter.

Boar-hunting in Xenophon is a more dangerous and manly sport. When the boar is tracked to his lair, nets are set in the neighbouring outlets, and he is roused by dogs, the hunters following with spears. When he has involved himself in a net he is speared; but he often turns and charges, and then the spear is used like a fixed bayonet on which to receive his charge. The boar may by a twist of his head wrest the spear from the hunter's hand, who then must immediately throw himself flat on his face, so as to prevent the boar from being able to wound him with his upward-turned tusks, and a comrade must instantly step forward and divert the beast by another attack. Such was the boar-hunting of the ancients—not, perhaps, equal in thrilling excitement to the "pig-sticking" of Anglo-India, and yet full of adventure and risk. Horace places the love for this sport among the "ruling passions" of mankind, and describes the hunter, when the boar has broken through the nets and got away, remaining out all day in pursuit of him, forgetful of the tender bride whom he has recently married.

Of hunting large game—that is, lions, leopards,