288 MR. DRUMMOND HAY. nearly evaporated as we approached: a couple of dollars, however, silenced the growl accompanying our admittance. With difficulty we made our way by torch-light to the posada, kept by a son of Abraham, yclept Benoliel: great was our rejoicing on sitting down to a good supper; and sound were our slumbers at the conclusion of that hard day's work. The following morning, after visiting the delightful gardens in the neighbourhood, belonging to the several European representatives, we called on the British consul-general: Mr. Drummond Hay, who received us with his wonted politeness and hospitality, which we experienced to the fullest extent during our stay at Tangiers; whence, in a few days, we took our departure in the mail-boat for Ceuta, beat up the quarters of some friends in the Spanish garrison there, and returned to Gibraltar after one of the pleasantest of trips,thus bringing to a close" the African Expedition." CHAPTER X. 66 ACCOUNT OF A FEW DAYS' SPORTING IN BARBARY," IN A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR. Reasons for undertaking the trip-Start in the Vampire yacht-Cabrita point-Saturday night in harbour -Tangiers-A visit to the governor-The fonda of Mr. Benoliel-The start-Moorish hunters-Take up a position-Death of a wild hog-Mahomedan scruples-A wet night in camp-Moorish songsA little sniping-Peppering a boar-A grunter at last bagged-The wounded pig-Striking tentsA start-Encampment of a wild tribe-Return to Tangiers-Mr. Drummond Hay-The Vampire flies back to Gibraltar. CHAPTER X. 66 ACCOUNT OF A FEW DAYS' SPORTING IN BARBARY," IN A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR.* Town Range Barracks, Gibraltar, MY DEAR NAPIER-Your "Scenes and Sports," which appeared lately in this garrison, have produced, I think, amongst us a "Nimrodish" spirit of the olden time-not but that many of our youthful sportsmen are game to the back bone, and frequently of the foremost (as you well know) with the Calpe hounds; but there are some amongst them, who, never having seen our old Indian friends of grunting pro * The Author is indebted for the following narration to his old friend and brother officer: Lieutenant Lacy, of the 46th Regiment. pensities, much wished to have an encounter with the bristly foe, on the opposite coast of "Afric's burning shores." Having been a brother sportsman and fellow actor in many of the well-told tales of your Indian exploits, I must give a short account of our endeavours to follow you in the "hog line," near Tangiers, a relation of which will, I think, amuse you, though, I am sorry to say we were not so successful as we ought to have been, owing, as usual, to my bad shooting, for which I was deservedly well abused; but if not attended with great results, our trip was agreeable and pleasant, and I wish you had been of the party. You would not only, I think, have enjoyed yourself uncommonly, but have killed your pig in sporting style, with the old "double-barrel" and long carving-knife. In fact, we only required you to make our party complete, and many were the wishes expressed for your presence. Our preparations were soon completed, and we assembled in the mess-room to breakfast, on the morning of our departure, after a de lightful ball at Mr. S.'s, the American consul, who always gives such splendid parties, and whose Madeira, by-the-bye, is the best in the world. a In this he pro without much A friend from the Emerald Isle had kindly offered us a passage to Tangiers in his yacht. Allow me, therefore, to introduce W most thorough Pat, and the owner of the Vampire, of about eight-and-forty tons, as neat a little craft as e'er skimmed o'er the " "glad waters of the dark blue sea." posed taking four of us; and, difficulty, D'Eyncourt, Moffat, David Fyffe, and myself obtained a week's leave from the Governor; so that, on the morning I speak of, guns, pistols, and hunting-knives of all sorts, sizes, and shapes,-carpet-bags,-coats,cloaks, &c. &c., were collected in the mess-room previous to our intended departure. About mid-day we embarked, and with a pleasant light breeze set sail from "The Rock," and were soon carried into the current of the Straits. I believe the coast on both sides is pretty well known to you, but yet I cannot help say |