4 i8 WILD SPORTS OF BURMA AND ASSAM 



The animal bounded off as if untouched, uttering as he 

 disappeared a sharp roar. The other leopard, which had 

 apparently been following its mate, broke back and dashed 

 through the beaters with an angry snarl. One man threw 

 his heavy wood-chopper or " dan ma " at it as it dashed past, 

 but the weapon rebounded off the animal's body with a dull 

 thud without doing any harm. I suppose she was a female, 

 as the one shot by me was a male. A few spots of blood 

 showed that I had not missed, and before we had gone 150 

 yards the leopard was viewed some 30 yards ahead, lying 

 stretched out on its side with its tongue hanging out and blood 

 oozing from its mouth. My bullet had entered at one side, 

 and after passing through its lungs made its exit on the 

 other. 



I remember once on another occasion having a close 

 shave from a leopard which I had wounded. I had just 

 left my tent for a stroll along the bed of the Nampan stream, 

 and was walking some 20 yards ahead of my shikarie^ who 

 was carrying my 8-bore, when a leopard jumped down the 

 side of the bank and making its way to the water-side began 

 to drink. The 12-bore I was carrying at the time was loaded 

 with 3^ drams of powder and Meade shell. After a little 

 manoeuvring I managed to lessen the distance between us to 

 about 35 yards. As I was about to put my gun to my shoulder 

 the leopard looked round and saw me. I fired hurriedly as 

 it turned and bounded off towards the bank, but missed badly 

 with the first barrel ; my second shot was more successful, for 

 the brute dropped to the shot and lay motionless. Thinking 

 I had shot it dead I went forward some 25 yards, but was 

 surprised to see the leopard sit up. I now noticed that my 

 shot had taken effect on the jaw, which appeared to be 

 completely shattered, while drops of blood were falling on to 

 the ground, and it seemed quite dazed and helpless. My 

 hunter with the 8-bore now joined me, and at this moment 

 the leopard, which was only some 5 or 6 yards off, regained its 

 legs and charged straight at us. Fortunately, we were watch- 

 ing it at the time and were able to get out of its way ; both 

 eyes appeared to have been blinded by the effects of the Meade 

 explosive shell. I succeeded in getting in a right and left 



