i8 DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



here my task was not ended, for it took me an 

 hour or more before I could draw forth the carcass, 

 and this I never would have accomplished but for 

 the aid rendered me by rheims made from the hide 

 of the female. 



" Not till then could I learn where my shots 

 had taken effect. The first had completely smashed 

 to pulp the lower jaw of my assailant, the last had 

 entered the centre of its chest and passed along the 

 spine to near the root of the tail, where it had lodged. 



" The skin, but for these external injuries, was 

 perfect, of unusual size, and in prime condition. 

 I was fortunate also in disposing of it and the 

 cubs ; for at Kuruman I found a party of English 

 gentlemen, returning from a hunting expedition in 

 the Limpopo district, who paid me nearly fifty 

 dollars in trade and cash for the lot, as well as a 

 new gun for guiding them and driving one of their 

 waggons to Hopetown." 



So ends an adventure of Cigar's ; and fortunately 

 it is no longer, for the waggons are at their out- 

 span, and already some of the cattle are belly-deep 

 in the vleys, when every dog suddenly discovers he 

 has a voice, and forthwith uses it, the reason being 

 that the pack have got a large cat brought to bay 

 in a fallen mimosa tree. 





