CHAP. ii. KHINOCEEOS. 107 



pected spot than a larger thicket would have been. It 

 was also but an imperfect view of the animal that I 

 could obtain through the long grass, and I hesitated con- 

 siderably before I fired, not only doubting whether I 

 could hit it at that distance, but aware that if I let it alone 

 now it would go away before long, nay, might even come 

 to the water to drink, and at any rate would enable me 

 to hide myself during its absence in the clump of bush 

 itself, and afford me every opportunity for a certain 

 shot on its return ; but my mind reverting to the tracks 

 of a very large herd of buffalo which I had noticed when 

 following the black rhinoceros, and which would in all 

 probability come to drink during the night, I preferred to 

 chance a shot now, rather than risk losing them while 

 watching for it. I could just see its spotted skin crouched 

 above the carcase, and, aiming low, I fired, the shot being 

 answered by a low growl, while the animal bounded off, 

 sufficiently in view to tempt me to try the other barrel. 

 It however disappeared in the bushes, and I walked up 

 and examined the impalla, finding no other wound, ex- 

 cept some trifling scratches on the shoulders, but the one 

 in the throat ; and as it was not altogether impossible 

 that the leopard might return after all, especially if it 

 happened to be very hungry, and was unwounded, I did 

 not attempt to touch it, but left it lying as I found it. 



Soon after my return to the tree, however, I heard 

 the melancholy howl of a hyena to leeward, growing 

 louder and louder as the beast came nearer, and then, 

 after suddenly ceasing, probably just when it caught the 

 impalla's scent, I next heard it tearing at the carcase. 

 It is curious how all creatures, whether birds or beasts, 



