THE LF/OPARD. 167 



gers were naturally uncomfortable when they saw so 

 powerful a beast at perfect liberty ; and many were 

 the ridiculous scenes which took place ; they not 

 liking to own their alarm, yet perfectly unable to re- 

 tain their composure in his presence. 



" This interesting animal was well fed twice every 

 day, but never given any thing with life in it. He 

 stood about two feet high, and was of a dark yellow 

 colour, thickly spotted with black rosettes ; and, from 

 the good feeding, and the care taken to clean him, 

 his skin shone like silk. The expression of his coun- 

 tenance was very animated and good-tempered, and 

 he was particularly gentle to children. He would 

 lie down on the mats by their side when they slept, 

 and even the infant shared his caresses, and remain- 

 ed unhurt. During the period of his residence at 

 Cape Coast, I was much occupied by making ar- 

 rangements for my departure from Africa ; but ge- 

 nerally visited my future companion every day, and 

 we, in consequence, became great friends before we 

 sailed. He was conveyed on board the vessel in a 

 large wooden cage, thickly barred in the front with 

 iron. Even this confinement was not deemed a suf- 

 ficient protection by the canoe-men *, who were so 

 alarmed at taking him from the shore to the vessel, 

 that, in their confusion, they dropped cage and all 



* The panther, in these countries, is a sacred or Fetish 

 animal ; and not only a heavy fine is extorted from those 

 who kill one, but the Fetish is supposed to revenge hii 

 death by cursing the offender. 



