LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC. 185 



piece out of the man's leg. Once he escaped, and dashed 

 on to the ramparts, where he caused a scene of confusion 

 which was quite laughable. The sentinels fled, the officers 

 closed their doors, the castle gates were shut ; but when 

 he was tired of his scamper, the playful beast quietly 

 laid himself down under a gun carriage, and suffered his 

 attendant to lead him away. At last he was allowed to 

 roam at large, orders being given to prevent his going 

 beyond the gates ; and the boy was desired not to leave 

 him. He, however, often fell asleep, on which occasions 

 Sai would come stealthily behind him as he sat upright, 

 and knock him over with a blow from his paw, when he 

 wagged his tail with delight. His principal amusement 

 was to stand on his hind-legs, his fore-paws resting on 

 tlia sill of one of the windows, his chin between them, 

 and there contemplate all that was going on in the town 

 below. But this was also a favourite pastime with my 

 uncle's children ; and there was not always room for all. 

 so they often pulled him down by the tail, and took his 

 place without exciting his anger. His attachment to 

 my uncle was very great, and he chiefly lived in his room. 

 He missed him one day when he was holding a great 

 palaver in the hall, and wandered about in search of him. 

 The multitude prevented the panther from seeing his 

 friend, and he wandered to other parts of the castle, 

 among others to my room, where he laid himself down 

 witL a disconsolate look. The palaver over, the G overnor 

 returned to his room to write, and the door being open, 

 he heard Sai coming slowly up the stairs. The panther 

 started when he saw the object of his search, and as he 

 made one bound across the room, my uncle gave himself 

 up for lost ; but the affectionate creature nestled bis 

 head into his master's shoulder, rubbed his cheek againsi 



