I was minded to let off my gun at 'em,
but refrained upon two considerations--the first, that if they were
tame, to shoot them might compromise our welcome here, and perhaps
painfully, since the dimensions of the pigs appeared to argue
considerable physical strength in their masters; the second, that if
wild they might be savage enough to defend themselves when attacked."
"Doubtless," said my father, "they belong to some herdsman in the
forest above us, and have strayed down in search of acorns.
They cannot belong to this village."
"And why, pray?"
"Because it contains not a single inhabitant. Moreover, gentlemen,
while you were sleeping I have taken a pretty extensive stroll.
The vineyards lie unkempt, the vines themselves unthinned, up to the
edge of the forest. The olive-trees have not been tended, but have
shed their fruit for years with no man to gather. Many even have
cracked and fallen under the weight of their crops. But no trace of
beast, wild or tame, did I discover; no dung, no signs of trampling.
The valley is utterly desolate."
"It grows mushrooms," said Mr.
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