AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



the glasses, she suddenly dropped flat out of sight. 

 The cause we discovered to be three hartebeeste 

 strolling sociably along, stopping occasionally to 

 snatch a mouthful; but headed always in the direc- 

 tion of the bushes behind which lay the great cat. 

 Much interested, we watched them. They dis- 

 appeared behind the screen. A sudden flash marked 

 the leopard's spring. Two badly demoralized harte- 

 beeste stampeded out into the open and away; two 

 only. The kill had been made. 



We had but the one rifle with us, for we were 

 supposed to be out after kudu only, and were 

 travelling as light as possible. No doubt the Spring- 

 field would kill a leopard, if the bullet landed in the 

 right place. We discussed the matter. It ended, 

 of course, in our sneaking down there; I with the 

 Springfield, and Cuninghame with his knife un- 

 sheathed. Our precautions and trepidations were 

 wasted. The leopard had carried the hartebeeste 

 bodily some distance, had thrust it under a bush, and 

 had departed. Cuninghame surmised it would return 

 toward evening. 



Therefore we continued after kudu. We found 

 old signs, proving that the beasts visited this country, 

 but nothing fresh. We saw, however, the first sing- 

 sing; some impalla, some klipspringer, and Chan- 

 ler's reed buck. 



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