WILDERNESS FOLK 103 



One instance will show the deadly nature of this 

 fellow. I was some distance from camp with our 

 truck one day. Rattray of the British settlement 

 was with us. Osa shot a zebra, but unfortunately 

 only wounded it. 



"Let me get it for you," suggested Rattray, who 

 hopped out while he was speaking. He took his gun 

 and started off in the direction of the wounded 

 animal. 



The zebra had fallen near some brush. Rattray 

 said afterward that the first thing he saw was a grey 

 shadow crouched behind the neck of the animal. 

 The next thing he knew this shadow was sweeping 

 toward him over the ground almost with the speed of 

 a bird. It was absolutely noiseless as it came. He 

 knew at once it was a full-grown leopard charging 

 him. He fired and missed. The next cartridge of 

 his double-barreled piece failed to go off. In another 

 instant the leopard was upon him with its fangs at his 

 throat. 



When we rescued the poor chap his clothes and 

 flesh were ripped horribly from head to foot. It 

 was two years before he finally recovered from this 

 assault. 



On the trail of lions and leopards we always find 

 jackal and hyena. The natives say that the former 

 are special friends of lions and help them to find their 

 prey. I do know that I have seen a jackal quietly 



