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A FURIOUS WILD BOAR. 143
crossed the little glade toward Tonnerre, who with his
doable burden stood awaiting him ;
but just before he
reached the spot, a crashing among the undergrowth
startled the spirited horse, who sprang forward and galloped
down the path, while a furious wild boar rushed
out from the thicket and made for Sir Lancelot.
The knight gave one hasty glance in
the direction of Tonnerre's headlong
flight; but seeing the impossibility of
overtaking him upon foot, he turned his
attention to the boar, whose movements
were in feet not to be disregarded, as already his hot and
fetid breath poisoned the sweet forest air, and the foam
flying from his churning tusks defiled the flowers and turf
of the little glade where Sir Lancelot stood.
"Vile brute! Must I then stain my noble blade
"
with thy life ! muttered the knight, drawing his sword
and springing back a step, for already the powerful beast
had aimed a blow of his tusks at the advanced foot of
the knight, and as he sprang aside dashed headlong past,
with each fury as to roll upon the ground in missing
the expected resistance. Before he could recover, Sir
Lancelot had sprung to his side, and dealt him a downright
blow that should have slain any creature less fully
protected than the boar ;
but from his armor-like hide
the good sword dipped harrnlpsa.
In the same instant
the boar was upon his feet again, and, rushing upon the
knight, avoided the point of the sword, so held that it