THE BOY BIGGLES

by Captain W. E. Johns

NB - IN THIS BOOK BIGGLES IS REFERRED TO AS “JAMES” BUT FOR THE SAKE OF THE STORY SUMMARIES; I HAVE REFERRED TO HIM AS BIGGLES.

VIII LIVING DANGEROUSLY (Pages 89 - 100)

“It seems that no matter where one lives there is no escaping the risk of death or mutilation by accident”. One day, Biggles is out for a walk with his young Indian friend, Habu Din. He has with him his light rifle and two or three cartridges “just in case”. They are heading for a picturesque part of the river that Habu has told him about and they have to cross an open tract of land with isolated trees dotted about. Seeing some tick-birds rise into the air, Biggles realises something is there. He then sees an old bull buffalo lying down, but it soon gets up and advances towards them. Habu runs away “which was understandable but stupid, because almost any animal will pursue something which it thinks is running away from it. Thus will a dog often chase after a bicycle, or motor bike”. The buffalo comes for the boys and they split up and both climb trees. For some reason, the buffalo decides to chase Biggles and then waits under his tree. “Now James saw the probable reason for the old bull’s behaviour. Its neck and flanks were streaked with blood. Claw marks. Only a tiger, or possibly a leopard, could have done that. No wonder the wretched beast was out to be revenged on something; on anything”. The buffalo settles down under the tree and the flies that come with it drive Biggles mad. Biggles shoots his rifle at the buffalo in an effort to try and drive it away. His first bullet strikes a horn; his second ricochets off and his third and final bullet doesn’t fire at all – it’s a dud! He is then out of ammunition. Two vultures arrive and then two more. The buffalo gets to its feet in order to chase away the vultures that are tormenting it and then walks off. Biggles and Habu are able to get out of their respective trees and get away. “As it happened no harm was done, but the incident demonstrates how easily an accident could happen”. “Another example, that might have had consequences just as serious, concerned a pig; that is, a wild boar, which in India is commonly called “pig”. “With razor-like tusks as well as teeth it is a formidable adversary”. One day Biggles was out for a stroll and passing a primitive cottage. He passes the time of day with the Indian woman who lives there and then continues down the path. Ahead is a piglet, two or three days old, and Biggles makes the mistake of picking it up. It squeals in fright and its mother comes out of the bushes. Biggles drops the baby and runs for his life. He runs back to the Indian woman’s cottage and runs in and slams the door, collapsing on the floor to recover his breath. The sow snorts and then goes off “leaving James to explain and make his apologies to the startled woman for his unceremonious entry into her house”.