THE NIGHT WATCH. 281 



in such a manner, as to conceal a person 

 crouching behind. This done, I sent home 

 all the men but one, and ensconced myself, 

 waiting patiently till dark, without the 

 leopard appearing. When I could no longer 

 see, I lit the lantern, and placed it on a stone 

 about a yard from the carcass, so as to 

 throw the light full upon it. I must confess, 

 I had little expectation of seeing the leopard 

 come near such a glaring light, made still 

 more glaring, by being in a dark corner of 

 the wood, overshadowed by large trees. 

 However, in less than an hour it came, and 

 in so stealthy a manner that, although the 

 ground was strewed thickly with dried 

 leaves, amongst which a mouse would have 

 been heard, had it moved about, not the 

 slightest sound announced its approach. As it 

 slowly protruded its head from behind a bush, 

 it had so singular an appearance, no other 

 part of its body being visible, that, in spite of 

 the light, I had some doubts whether it was 

 the leopard or not. All doubt was dispelled, 

 by its entering the circle of light, seizing the 



