THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 34? 



incident at the next village, which was near, the natives related 

 an adventure which some of them had had with perhaps the same 

 leopard on that day. Having lost many of their goats and calves 

 by wild animals, a spring-gun was set by the natives, near which 

 a small goat was tied, so that any attempt to seize the goat would 

 tire the gun. After waiting several hours, five of the natives 

 went to see the result, but as they approached, one of them, 

 being in advance, was attacked by a large leopard that leaped 

 upon his shoulder and with the utmost ferocity began to tear him 

 with its huge claws. The suddenness of the attack prevented 

 him from using his spear, and he would have been torn to pieces 

 in a moment except for the assistance of his comrades, who, 

 hearing his agonized screams, ran to his assistance, and after a 

 terrible battle, in which several of them were wounded, they suc- 

 ceeded in dispatching the brute with their spears. It was one of 

 the largest of its species, and being pressed with hunger, was 

 doubtless in the act of springing upon the decoy goat when the 

 man appeared, and it at once directed its fury against him. The 

 men who had slain the leopard had suddenly become heroes in 

 the eyes of their countrymen, and the lofty manner in which 

 they strutted about showed how much they appreciated their 

 honors. 



STRANGE CUSTOMS. 



THE cattle of Africa are, like the Indian buffalo, only partially 

 tamed ; they never give their milk without the presence of the 

 calf, or its stuffed skin, the "fulchan." The women adjacent 

 to Mozambique partake a little of the wild animal's nature ; for, 

 like most members of the inferior races of animals, they refuse 

 all intercourse with their husbands when enciente, and they con- 

 tinue this for about three years afterward, or until the child is 

 weaned, which usually happens about the third year. Living- 

 stone was told, on most respectable authority, that many fine 

 young native men marry one wife, and live happily with her till 

 this period ; nothing will then induce her to continue to cohabit 

 with him ; and as the separation is to continue for three years, 

 the man is almost compelled to take up with another wife : this 



