y where the cold regions lie--over _there_
(extending his arm and pointing), and of course if you know that the
cold regions lie _there_, you know that the hot regions must lie at your
back--there, and it follows that the Pillars of Hercules lie _there_
(pointing west), and home lies somewhere about _there_ (pointing
eastward)."

"Stop!" cried Maikar in great perplexity--for although a seaman he was
densely ignorant. "Hot regions, _there_, cold, _there_, home and the
Pillars, _there_, and _there_, and _there_ (thrusting his arms out in
all directions). I've no more idea of where you've got me to now than--
than--"

"Oh, never mind," interrupted the captain, "it doesn't matter, as you
are not our guide. But, ho! look! look! down in the hollow there--among
the rushes. What's that?"

"A boar!" said Bladud, in a low whisper, as he unslung his bow. "Come,
now, it will take all our united force to slay that brute, for, if I
have not lost my power of judging such game, I'm pretty sure that he's a
very big old boar with formidable tusks."

While the prince was speaking, his comrades had also prepared their
weapons, and looked to their guide for directions.

These were hastily but clearly given. As the boar was evidently asleep
in his lair, it was arranged that the three friends should stalk him, as
the broken ground was specially favourable for such a mode of attack.

"We will advance together," said Bladud, "with our bows ready. I will
lead; you follow close. When we get within range you will do as you see
me do, and be sure that you aim at the brute's side--not at his head.
Send your arrows with all the force you can. Then drop the bows and get
your javelins ready."

With eager looks the captain and little sailor nodded assent. They were
much excited, having often heard tales of boar-hunting, though neither
of them had ever taken part in that work.

A few minutes' walk brought them to the edge of the rushes, where they
had a fair view of the monstrous animal as it lay fully extended on its
side, and not more than thirty yards distant.

"Take him just behind the fore-leg," whispered Bladud, as he drew his
bow. His companions followed his example. Two of the bows twanged
simultaneously, but the third--that of Maikar--was pulled with such
vigour that it broke with a crash that would have awakened the sleepiest
of wild boars, had there been nothing else to arouse him. As it was,
other things helped to quic