Fett. Apparently they had
recovered from their fright, for they came on at a shuffling gallop
through the churchyard gate, nor hesitated until well within the
enclosure. There, with much grunting, they drew to a standstill and
eyed us, backing a little, and sidling off by twos and threes among
the nettles under the wall.
"They are tame hogs run wild," said my father, after studying them
for a minute. "They have lost their masters, and evidently hope we
have succeeded to the care of their troughs."
He moistened a manchet of bread from his wine-flask and flung it
towards them. The hogs winced away with a squeal of alarm, then took
courage and rushed upon the morsel together. The most of them were
lean brutes, though here and there a fat sow ran with the herd, her
dugs almost brushing the ground. In colour all were reddish-brown,
and the chine of each arched itself like a bent bow. Five or six
carried formidable tusks.
These tusks, I think, must have struck terror in the breast of Mr.
Badcock, who, as my father enticed the hogs nearer with fresh morsels
of bread until they nuzzled close to us, suddenly made a motion to
beat them off with the butt of his musket, whereupon the whole herd
wheeled and scampered off through the gateway.
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