A PROSPECT OF ROAST PIG. 89 



when I heard a slight rustling noise within a 

 few paces to my left, Avhich at first I imagined 

 to have been caused by the dog, but on turning 

 round, to my surprise I saw a fine full-grown 

 panther gathering himself up as if to make a 

 spring. His attention was evidently entirely cen- 

 tred in the prospect of a pork dinner, for he licked 

 his slavering lips repeatedly, and his green eyes 

 were fixed intently upon the sow, who, strangely 

 enough, had not yet caught the taint in the air. I 

 quickly raised my rifle, and aiming behind the 

 massive shoulder, which was fully exposed as he 

 couched, pulled trigger, and the panther sprang 

 into the air stone dead. The sow, alarmed, dashed 

 forward most courageously to protect her young, 

 and in self-defence I was obliged to give her 

 my remaining barrel as she charged close by me. 

 The bullet passing through the body, " grassed " 

 her at once, and with the aid of Ponto, who came 

 up immediately on hearing the report, I managed 

 to despatch her with my knife. We now turned 

 our attention to the squeakers, and Ponto and 

 I soon managed to catch five of them alive, which 



