But for half a mile it seemed as though the pig hunt had got off on the wrong foot, for there was no sign of Crippen and they were getting closer to the Broad with every step they took. ‘If he get among the bulrushes, he’ll likely drown,’ Adam said, and Tess could not help noticing that he sounded hopeful. ‘It’d mebbe be for the best, master.’

Mr Bell turned a fulminating glare on the old man. ‘That boar’s worth a deal of money,’ he pointed out. ‘I don’t deny he’s got a nasty temper, but we can’t afford to lose him. Look at the size of him.’

‘I am looking,’ Adam said, licking his lips, probably at the memory of Crippen’s enormous haunches, Tess supposed. ‘He’d cut up real good, would Crippen; there’d be enough bacon on him to last for a year.’

Mr Bell had begun to say that Crippen was worth a lot more alive than dead when they came within sight of the Broad, and Adam gave a triumphant yell. ‘There he be, master,’ he shouted, pointing ahead of them. ‘Look at him, look at him, happy as a pig in muck! But how are we to coax him out of there is more’n I can say.’

Tess, following Adam’s pointing finger, could only agree with this sentiment. The boar had made himself a wonderful wallow by crushing down the reeds and bulrushes until he was half submerged in muddy water, and was obviously quite happy to champ on the grass and sedge which came within his reach. In a cowboy film, Tess thought, someone would have produced a lasso, though she pitied anyone holding the business end of such a thing with Crippen at the other. But as it was, Mr Bell began to give his orders. ‘Keith, stay well back but prepare to guide him towards the farm if he comes out of that there mud of his own accord. Adam, here’s my walkin’ stick; you stand guard so he can’t go no further up the lane, and give the mangel to Jonty. If the worst come to the worst mebbe a bribe will bring him back to the farm. I’m goin’ to fetch the pig net.’

‘Oh aye?’ Adam said, taking the proffered stick and handing the mangel to Jonty. ‘If’n you fetch the pig net you’d best bring the trailer as well, ’cos I don’t fancy tryin’ to persuade Crippen to walk home all tangled up in the nettin’.’

His employer snorted. ‘I’m a-goin’ to bring as many turnips, swedes and mangels as I can carry. Once we’ve netted him out of his wallow we’ll bribe him back to his pen. I dare not leave him loose in case he decide to go further into the Broad, but he’s a greedy blighter so I reckon temptation may work.’ He strode purposefully off up the lane, and the remaining four kept their eyes uneasily on the great animal, who was clearly enjoying himself more than he had done for many long years.