CHAPTER XXVIII 



TWO LEOPARD STORIES 



LAKE NYASSA is, for the most part, surrounded by 

 high hills, which send down ridges and ravines 

 almost to the water's edge. The land between the 

 mountains and the actual lake being very fertile, the 

 natives settle there in great numbers ; in fact, the 

 whole of the eastern shore of this expanse of water 

 may be said to consist of a continuous line of villages. 

 Rice gardens flourish along the margin of the Lake, 

 and other gardens lie behind them and stretch back 

 to the hills. All this country forms an ideal home 

 for the leopard, for he can pass the day in the cool 

 shade of the deep gulleys, and at night steal down 

 to the villages to look for the dainties he loves so 

 well especially sheep, goats, dogs, and fowls. 



Some time ago, I was encamped at Chingomangie's 

 village, near the Lake shore, and had with me, at 

 the time, a flock of thirteen ducks. In the light of 

 good old superstition, an adverse fate was bound to 

 cut short their career, and, to assist fate in the matter, 



