COLONEL ROOSEVELT A REMARKABLE HUNTER. 165 



sweep. It lacks the shoulder hump which is characteristic of the 

 American bison or buffalo. 



The African buffalo are justly regarded as exceedingly danger- 

 ous by sportsmen. When wounded they will charge with extreme 

 speed and ferocity. 



During the hunt Col. Roosevelt shot a leopard, capturing the 

 leopard's cubs alive. 



This animal is one of the most graceful of the graceful tribe 

 of cats, and, although far less in dimensions than the tiger, chal- 

 lenges competition with that animal in the beautiful markings of 

 its fur, and the easy elegance of its movements. It is possessed of 

 an accomplishment which is not within the powers of the lion or 

 tiger, being able to climb trees with singular agility, and even to 

 chase the tree-loving animals among their familiar haunts. 



A GRACEFUL ANIMAL. 



In Africa the leopard is well known and much dreaded, for it 

 possesses a most crafty brain, as well as an agile body and sharp 

 teeth and claws. It commits sad depredations on flocks and herds, 

 and has sufficient foresight to lay up a little stock of provisions for 

 a future day. 



When attacked it will generally endeavor to slink away, and 

 to escape the observation of its pursuers ; but if it is wounded, and 

 finds no mode of eluding its foes it becomes furious, and charges 

 at them with such determinate rage, that unless it falls a victim to 

 a well-aimed shot, it may do fearful damage before it yields up its 

 life. 



Col. Roosevelt and party started out early one morning along 

 the wooded shores and swamps in search of hippopotami. 



They occasionally saw the uncouth head of a hippopotamus 

 protrude from the water, and the Colonel decided to shoot one, hit- 

 ting it behind the ear, which is a vulnerable spot, and it spun around 

 in a huge circle like a great top, emitting horrifying sounds, until it 

 died, and the body floated on the water. 



This enormous quadruped is a native of various parts of 

 Africa, and is always found either in water or in its near vicinity. 



