"A wild boar," said Dave, and as he took in his situation he was swept off his feet with a new shock.
The momentary illumination had fully apprized Dave of his environment. The pit was a trap, its entrance scented and greased to attract victims.
A strong home-made rope was attached to a stake in its center. Its end was a loop. This loop now inclosed the neck of the boar, choking and imprisoning it. In fact, the fierce animal was fairly frantic.
The loop must have been placed in some way near to decoy food, tightening and securing its victim at a touch.
Now rushing around, the boar had swept Dave off his footing with the taut rope at which it struggled. It was upon him in an instant. Mad with pain and fright it tried to gore and crush him.
Dave managed to roll and squirm beyond its reach. Breathless and bewildered, he hurriedly drew out his pocket knife, opening its largest blade.
With blazing eyes the maddened animal made another rush at Dave. He went flat. Its tusk penetrated a double thickness of his clothing. It tugged at him, panting, grunting, squealing.
Snip-snip--Dave was all mixed up in the rope, almost helplessly at the mercy of the animal. He slashed out with the knife, but struck the rope instead of the boar.
The rope parted. Dave was dragged over the pit floor, his clothing firmly held by the spike-like tusk of the boar.
He had to go along, whether he would or not. Dave grasped one bristly ear of the boar.