He rushed franticly towards the gorge, which
the yells of the hogs told us they were now approaching. I had made up
my mind that I would abstain from killing another, as, if Peterkin
should be successful, two were more than sufficient for our wants at
the present time. Suddenly they all burst forth--two or three little
round ones in advance, and an enormous old sow with a drove of hogs at
her heels.
"Now, Peterkin," said I, "there's a nice little fat one; just spear
it."
But Peterkin did not move; he allowed it to pass unharmed. I looked at
him in surprise, and saw that his lips were compressed and his eyebrows
knitted, as if he were about to fight with some awful enemy.
"What is it?" I inquired, with some trepidation.
Suddenly he levelled his spear, darted forward, and, with a yell that
nearly froze the blood in my veins, stabbed the old sow to the heart.
Nay, so vigorously was it done that the spear went in at one side and
came out at the other!
"O Peterkin," said I, going up to him, "what have you done"?
_Done?_ "I've killed their great-great-grandmother, that's all,"
said he, looking with a somewhat awe-struck expression at the
transfixed animal.
"Hallo! what's this?" said Jack, as he came up. "Why, Peterkin, you
must be fond of a tough chop. If you mean to eat this old hog, she'll
try your jaws, I warrant. What possessed you to stick _her,_
Peterkin?"
"Why, the fact is, I want a pair of shoes.
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