A LEOPARD AT BAY. 343 



diminutive bushes on it : it looked as if nothing larger 

 than a meer-cat could have found shelter upon its surface 

 from the human eye ; but the latgefeKda know how to 

 secrete themselves, for nature has presented them with 

 a coat admirably suited for such a purpose. 



With a slack rein I rode ; the dogs were clustered 

 around me, for the heat of the afternoon and want of 

 water had commenced to tell upon them, when up 

 sprang the largest leopard that I had ever seen, and at 

 an easy canter, grunting at every stride it took, made 

 for a few scattered trees. 



The appearance of the game was so sudden, that it 

 was some moments before I left the saddle, and when I 

 got ready to shoot, the dogs were between me and the 

 object of my aim. At length I got a clear shot, and 

 fired ; the bullet ricocheted under the leopard's feet, but 

 in doing so hit some part of its body. However, giving 

 no more evidence of its mishap than a shorter and more 

 savage growl, as well as an acceleration of speed, it 

 pursued its course as heretofore. By this time the 

 dogs were crowding it, but none dare lay hold, for 

 such an act of temerity would have insured instant 

 death. 



Soon the trees were reached; but instead of the 

 leopard taking shelter in them, it turned round on the 

 dogs, and the pack scattered like chaff before the wind. 

 I approached, and got off my horse, having taken my 

 double gun in place of the lately- discharged single- 

 barrelled rifle. To my surprise, none of the bushmen 

 would go closer. The dogs, owing to my presence, 

 became more and more bold and clamorous ; one cur 

 that I had picked up at Hartebeestfontein, near 

 Klerksdorp, particularly distinguished himself; but his 



