364 AN UNSATISFACTORY INTERVIEW. 



where I had last fired, we nearly drove over the brute of a panther, seated 

 coolly on his haunches in the middle of the road ! He bounded quietly into 

 the jungle again. I had the presence of mind not to pull up, as we should 

 probably have alarmed him by so doing — if anything would have done so ! 

 — so continuing less quickly I handed Murga the reins, and jumping out 

 <»f the trap hid myself by the side of the path about forty yards further 

 on, whilst he drove away. This ruse succeeded, and the panther, thinking 

 the coast clear, stalked out and sat down again, looking after the receding 

 trap. I tried to sight him, but it was now so dusk that though he could 

 be seen plainly enough when my head was raised, with one eye closed and 

 the other directed along a rifle-barrel, with a dark background, he was 

 invisible. I tried repeatedly but could not get a sight, when he rose and 

 came a few yards down the path, and then turned into one at right angles 

 to it, and which led past me, but through bushes on my right. I had only 

 one barrel loaded, but was determined to have the panther unless it were 

 positively predestined that such was not to be my luck. I therefore slipped 

 quietly through the bushes to cut him off in the small path he had now 

 taken. I how r ever made the mistake of stepping into it instead of waiting 

 until he came level with me. I met him face to face at about five yards' 

 distance, but a bush which overhung the narrow path obscured him ; and 

 whilst I delayed an instant to make certain of him — as in the dangerous 

 position in which I stood it would not have done merely to wound him — 

 he drew back with great quickness and vanished in the failing light. 



This w r as the last I saw of him. I can only account for his extreme 

 contumacy throughout by supposing he never saw clearly what we were, 

 being confused by the presence of the trap, and also from the fact that 

 many wild animals, even the most timid, are often very bold at night, as 

 they are not accustomed to meet man abroad at that time. Deer may be 

 approached much more easily late at night, or just as it grows light in the 

 morning, than at other times, as they are not accustomed to being dis- 

 turbed by people moving about at those hours. 



