1-GO: ON “A SHOOTING: “TRIP. 169 
I could probably have killed two more before they could 
get away, but I refrained from shooting, as we did not need 
the meat. Exchanging my rifle for a shot-gun, so that I 
might collect some birds, I started back to the caravan. 
In one little clump of bushes I noticed some curious 
birds, and crept up cautiously to get a better view of 
them. I had gotten so close that I could almost touch 
the bushes, when suddenly there was a growl, and out 
sprang a fine leopard, only a few feet away. I must con- 
fess to being startled by the animal, as my gun was not 
loaded properly for such big game. Seeing the leopard 
bound into another thicket, where he would probably re- 
main, I called my boys together, and had them try to drive 
the animal, while I took my stand on one side of the 
bushes, and waited with my .577 rifle. Soon I heard my 
Somalis coming gradually towards me, striking the bushes 
about with their sticks, and my excitement rose higher 
and higher. Is it possible, I thought, that the leopard has 
escaped us, after the boys had almost reached my side of 
the bushes? But no; suddenly, like a flash of lightning, 
something yellow shot through the air, and landed directly 
at my feet. There was only one quick snarl, and the 
next instant I saw the leopard bounding away through the 
grass in the opposite direction. The whole thing was 
done so quickly that I had no time to take aim, but 
could only take a snap-shot at the animal’s back as it 
bounded through the grass, scoring a good miss. I 
thought the leopard must have intended to seize me when 
he first bounded from the bushes, but changed his mind, 
as he almost touched my feet. I hunted him for some 
time now, but could see no more of him. 
On reaching the caravan, I found everything in order, 
but heard rather bad news as to the country ahead. Two 
guides, who had agreed to go with me, stated that three 
