A WEAPON OF NATUkK. 19 



" If nothing unexpected happens, I shall not be the last one to reach camp," he 

 reflected, as he placed his foot on the trunk and began picking his way across, with- 

 out paying heed to a sluggish snake twisting among some rotten sticks on the edge 

 of the stream near by. 



The base of the tree was several feet beyond the edge of the opposite shore, 

 while the branches projected fully a rod behind where Bob began crossing, that 

 part of the trunk which he used as a bridge being free from limbs. 



LEOPARD. 



The youth had passed about one-third of the distance, with no thought 

 of molestation, when, to his amazement, a leopardess issued from the un- 

 dergrowth, and stepping upon the larger portion of the trunk, advanced to 

 meet him. 



This was a surprise indeed, and Bob stopped, in doubt for the instant what was 

 the best thing to do. It flashed on him at once that this was the mate of the leopard 

 he had shot, and whether she had learned the truth or not, it was manifest from her 

 action that she was in a fighting mood. Indeed, the fierceness displayed by the two 

 animals was exceptional, for, as a rule, leopards are not likely to disturb a man unless 

 he first molests them. 



