A STEADY SHOT. 13 



threaten or throw stones at the black-faced imps 

 was, I knew, useless ; to remain still and take no 

 notice of them was even a more dangerous course ; 

 for such conduct, I was aware, they would construe 

 into fear ; and once they got such a fad in their 

 heads, there was no knowing to what lengths their 

 audacity would lead them, for there is much in 

 common between baboons and other folks ; thus I 

 scarcely knew what course to follow next. Angry ; 

 yes, I was nearly beside myself with rage, and but 

 for the scarcity of ammunition, would have given 

 one of the grinning, chattering devils a bullet. But 

 the very row I was making such a fuss about turned 

 out to be of all things the most to my advantage, 

 for the leopard, hearing the disturbance outside, and 

 possibly supposing it was a bok, or other desirable 

 prey that had caused the wrath of the apes to be 

 raised, came forth from her den for it was a female, 

 accompanied by two cubs, about twelve weeks old. 

 The appearance of the mother and children was 

 enough for my tormentors ; with one accord they 

 forsook me and directed their attention to them ; 

 but little the old lady cared about this, for, with 

 a yawn or two, and several stretches, she extended 

 herself at length upon her side, that the young ones 

 might the better enjoy their natural food. 



" Such a chance was not to be neglected ; with a 

 long steady aim I covered her heart, pressed the 

 trigger, and the beast rolled over on her back dead, 



