[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]

SANTO—PIGS 1 7 3

was just as fine; my host continued the journey by
boat, while I preferred to walk the short distance that
remained, accompanied by the pig, whose health did
not seem equal to another sea-voyage in the blazing
sun. It was touching to see the tenderness with
which the natives treated the victim-elect, giving it
the best of titbits, and urging it with the gentlest of
words to start on the walk. It was quite a valuable
animal, with good—sized tusks. After some hesitation
the pig suddenly rushed off, Sam, his keeper, behind.
First it raced through the thicket, which I did not
like, so I proposed to Sam to pull the rope on the
energetic animal’s leg; but Sam would not damp its
splendid enthusiasm for fear it might balk afterwards.
Sam managed, however, to direct it back into the
path, but we had a most exhausting and exciting, if
interesting, walk, for the pig was constantly rushing,
sniffing, grunting and digging on all sides, so that
’ Sam was entirely occupied with his charge, and it
was quite impossible to converse. At last we
proudly entered the village, and the beast was tied
in the shade; we separated, not to meet again till
the hour of sacrifice.

I was then introduced to the host, a small but
venerable old man, who received me with dignified
cordiality. We could not talk together, but many
ingratiating smiles assured each of the other’s
sympathy. The village seemed extremely pleasant
to me, which may have been due to the bright sun
and the cool breeze. The square was situated on the
beach, which sloped steeply to the sea. Along the