They were wary and cautious, and with good reason. Their best hold
was by the ears, and these had been chewed away in former wars, till
nothing was left of them but the ragged roots. Bill the Butcher
dismounted, dropped his bridle, and cheered on the dogs at a prudent
distance, "Good dogs; seek him Lion; hold him Tiger."
The dogs went nearer and nearer, jumping away whenever the boar made
an attack. At last they seized him by the roots of his ears, one on
each side, and held on. Bob Atkins and Bill approached the
combatants, carrying some strong cord, of New Zealand flax. A
running noose was secured round the hind legs of the boar; he was
then thrown on his side, and his forelegs were tied together.
Lion and Tiger stood near panting, with blood dripping from their
open jaws. Philip could not imagine why Bill did not butcher the
beast at once; it seemed impossible that a leathery old savage like
that could ever be transformed into tender pork. For the present he
was left prone on the field of battle, and the pig hunt proceeded.
There was soon much squealing of pigs, and barking of dogs among the
tussocks. Gleenson's dog pinned a young boar, and after its legs
were tied Philip agreed to stand by and guard it, while Gleeson
fetched the cart. But the boar soon slipped the cord from his legs,
and at once attacked his nearest enemy, rushing at Philip and trying
to rip open his boots.
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