256 HUNTING IN THE JUNGLE. 



with an added number of guards. They had orders to 

 close in as soon as they saw the mysterious thief and 

 surround him. About midnight I was aroused by the 

 lieutenant calling into my tent, " It is a leopard ; shall 

 we fire ? " Hardly taking time to dress, I seized my rifle 

 and hurried 'out after him, to convince my rather sceptical 

 mind of his information. It was light enough to read, 

 and a superb moonlight night. We found the sentinels 

 at their posts, the cattle sleeping, and everything quiet ! 

 I laughed at the lieutenant and his false alarm, which 

 made leopards out of shadows. 



" No," said he, " I saw the leopards as clearly as I see 

 you. They run at the least noise, never wishing to risk 

 their spotted hides if they can help it ; and I know I was 

 not mistaken." 



I felt sure the young man was at fault, but turned back 

 to my tent, simply cautioning him to keep on the alert 

 and report any further alarm at once. Just as I reached 

 my canvas home, an enormous body fell, without the least 

 warning, from the thick foliage above it, landing a few 

 feet away from me. It was a leopard ; and had it fallen 

 upon me, I should not now be describing the fact to you, 

 for he would have crushed me as flat as a pancake. I 

 called for help, and at the same time discharged my rifle, 

 aiming for his glowing eyes. The shot told, and he rolled 

 over dead. Several shots followed immediately from the 

 sentinels, and the whole camp ran out to see what was 

 up. In a moment we were on the field of action. A 



