The two packs employed to-day numbered forty--twenty-four big and sixteen small _podencos_, all yellow and white, the larger having a cross of mastiff. That evening two of the best in the pack were missing--"Capitan," killed by a boar in the _mancha_; the other returned during the night, fearfully wounded, one foreleg almost severed.
The head-keeper told us that these _podencos_ fear the he-wolf. They will run keenly on his scent, but never dare to close with him as they do with boar. Yet curiously they have been known to fraternise with the she-wolf, and in no case will they attack, but rather incline to caress her.
It was estimated by the drivers that eighty head of big-game (_reses_) were viewed to-day. Thirty-two shots were fired, but only my one stag was killed. Had the wind held steady, much better results were probable.[29] Included among the guests at Mezquitillas--and they represented rank and learning, arms, State, and Church--was a genial and imposing personality in the poet laureate of Spain, Sr. D. Antonio Cavestany, who celebrated this delightful if somewhat unlucky day in a series of graceful couplets. We are wholly unequal to translate, but copy two or three which readers who understand Spanish will appreciate:--
Del Poeta al arma no dieron Las Musas mucha virtud: Cuatro ciervos le salieron ... Y los cuatro se le fueron Rebosantes de salud!
Suya fue la culpa toda: Con la escopeta homicida Á apuntar no se acomoda ... Si les dispara una oda No escapa ni uno con vida!
Sin duda no plugo á Dios Que del ganado cervuno Fueran las Parcas en pos Total; tiros, treinta y dos Yvenados muertos, uno!!!
¿Quien realizó tal hazaña? Verguenza de humillacion, Mi frente al decirlo baña. Fue el Ingles ... la rubia Albion Quedó esta vez sobre España!!
Resumen: luz, embeleso, Panoramas, maravillas, Bosques, arroyos, cantuéso ... Lo dice junto todo eso Solo al decir "Mezquitillas."
Y bondad, afecto, agrado, Gracia que ingenio revela, Hospitalidad, cuidado ... Todo eso esta compendiado Condecir "Juan y Carmela."
The next day's operations precisely reversed those of to-day, the guns being placed along the depths of a valley, while the beaters brought down the whole mountain-slopes above. Thus each post, though it commanded a "pass," gave no such wonderful view beyond as had been the feature of yesterday's _montería_. It will, in fact, be obvious that in a big mountain-land no two beats are ever alike nor the conditions equal. Every day presents fresh problems. That is one of the charms.