Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/486

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THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON.

moaning and groaning, began to feel himself all over, as if to search for broken bones, crying out—

“I'm pounded like a half-crushed pepper-corn!”

On examination I found some severe bruises.

“Who or what has been pummelling the boy " I exclaimed; “one would think he had been beaten."

“It was a huge wild boar," said Ernest, “with fierce eyes, monstrous tusks, and a snout as broad as my hand."

WILD BOAR.

We took Jack down to the yacht, bathed his bruises, gave him a cooling drink, and he soon fell fast asleep in his berth, where I left him, and returned to the shore.

“Now, Ernest," said I, “enlighten me on the subject of this adventure! What you and the boar did, is quite a mystery to me."

“Floss and I were going quietly along," replied he, “when suddenly there was a rustling and snorting close by, and a great boar broke through the bushes, making for the outskirts of the wood. Floss gave chase directly, and the boar turned to bay. Then up came Jack with Coco, and the gallant little jacka attacked the monster in the rear. In another moment, however he was sent sprawling upon his back, and this so provoked his