AN ADVENTURE WITH A LEOPARD 197 



setting behind the tree-tops of the forest to the west. There 

 was not too much dayhght left. The smaller stag, if he 

 continued to feed in his present direction, would come 

 within range, but it would be dark before the big one got 

 there, and if the latter remained where he was he would be 

 a difhcult shot once the light began to go. 



Since we wanted meat, I told the havildah to place a ball 

 cartridge in the smooth-bore and to be ready to fire at the 

 nearest stag when I gave the word. At the same moment 

 I would let drive at the big stag. It was not an ideal 

 solution, but nothing better seemed to offer itself, unless 

 the big stag moved much nearer to us, in order to enable 

 me to make a certainty of meat and of horns to boot. 



We then concentrated our attention on the two stags, 

 and neither party saw the third actor in this vivid drama of 

 the forest. 



And yet there was one, and this no less than a fine male 

 leopard, which was just leaving the forest some forty yards 

 to our right. Quite unaware of the near proximity of his 

 mortal foe — man — the leopard was intent on securing his 

 evening meal, and for this purpose had selected a young 

 doe which had straggled away from the main herd and was 

 feeding towards, and some sixty yards from, the leopard's 

 position. 



On leaving the forest the leopard lay flat on his stomach 

 and crawled stealthily along in the direction of the doe, 

 who had suddenly altered her position and was now facing 

 towards her companions. Whether instinct had warned 

 her it is hard to say, but she stood at gaze for some seconds, 

 the leopard meanwhile crouching motionless, flat in the 

 short tussocky grass and absolutely indistinguishable from 

 his surroundings, and then down went her head and she 

 recommenced feeding. 



The leopard still waited, and then once again began that 

 slow crawl. It was difRcult, indeed, to perceive that he 

 moved at all, save that tussocks of grass that had been in 

 front of him were left behind. Gradually the distance 

 shortened, till but twenty-five yards separated him from 

 the young, unsuspecting doe. Slowly he gathered himself 

 together, and then with a few strong, supple, noiseless 

 bounds he sprang on to the startled animal and struck her 

 to the ground. 



The tragedy was a matter of seconds, and yet its effect 



