THE CAT TRIBE 



67 



This charming and accurate description shows the cheeta at home. In the field he is quite 

 another creature. He is driven as near as possible to the game, and then unhooded and given a 

 sight of them. Sir Samuel Baker thus describes a hunt in which a cheeta was used : " The chase 

 began after the right-hand buck, which had a start of about 1 10 yards. It was a magnificent sight 

 to see the extraordinary speed of pursuer and pursued. The buck flew over the level surface, 

 followed by the cheeta, which was laying out at full stretch, with its long, thick tail brandishing 

 in the air. They had run 200 yards, when the keeper gave the word, and away we went as fast 

 as our horses could carry us. The horses could go over this clear ground, where no danger of a 

 fall seemed possible. I never saw anything to equal the speed of the buck and the cheeta ; we 

 were literally nowhere, although we were going as hard as horse-flesh could carry us ; but we had 

 a glorious view. The cheeta was gaining in the course, while the buck was exerting every muscle 

 for life or death in its last race. Presently, after a course of about a quarter of a mile, the buck 

 doubled like a hare, and the cheeta lost ground as it shot ahead, instead of turning quickly, being 

 only about thirty yards in rear of the buck. Recovering itself, it turned on extra steam, and the 

 race appeared to recommence at increased speed. The cheeta was determined to win, and at this 

 moment the buck made another double in the hope of shaking off its terrible pursuer ; but this 

 time the cheeta ran cunning, and was aware of the former game. It turned as sharply as the 

 buck. Gathering itself together for a final effort, it shot forward like an arrow, picked up the 

 distance which remained between them, and in a cloud of dust we could for one moment distin- 

 guish two forms. The next instant the buck was on its back, and the cheeta's fangs were fixed 

 like an iron vice in its throat. The course run was about 600 yards, and it was worth a special 

 voyage to India to see that hunt." 



Phitc by Ottomar jtmchutx] 



A CHEETA ON THE LOOK-OUT 



Cheetai art common to Africa and India. By the nati-ve princes of the latter country they are much used for taking antelope and other game 



