348 A PANTHER AND CUBS. 



to a stranger to be an ill-defined jungle, where it might be supposed there 

 could be little preference of route. But wild animals generally keep to 

 certain lines very closely, to tracks well chosen in the first place, as being 

 in the most direct line to other strongholds, or to particular points where 

 they must cross ravines. 



My attendant and I stole to our post with the utmost caution, moving 

 slowly and heeding every step lest a crackling twig or rustling leaf should 

 betray us. We knew the panther must be lying very close to where we 

 were, that being the most secure part of the cover. We stood on the 

 ground near a wild-date tree, and in a few moments the beaters began to 

 make noises at some distance. I had cautioned them not to begin too close, 

 as a suddenly -awakened animal often dashes away too fast to give the 

 sportsman a good chance. 



The patch of jungle was small in extent, but dark as night, and though 

 the beaters made every conceivable noise as they approached, the panther 

 did not show itseK, and I was beginning to fear it had slipped away in some 

 other direction, when a slight movement, but without any sound, caught 

 my eye to the right. Turning my head quietly I saw the panther's head 

 and shoulders just past a bush. I felt instantly I had her ! She was only 

 five yards off, and her quickest movement could scarcely save her one shot 

 at least. She had not caught sight of me as she was looking to see if the 

 coast were clear, so I brought up my rifle quickly. She caught the move- 

 ment and turned full on me, crouching with lightning speed. At the 

 same instant a bullet through her lungs knocked her out of time alto- 

 gether. With a convulsive spring backwards and sideways she disappeared 

 in the thicket. There was dead silence among the beaters at the shot and 

 growl that followed, and I heard the panther gasping and choking with 

 blood a few yards inside the thicket. The gasps became fainter and slower, 

 and then all was still. I made my companion climb a tree to mark, whilst 

 I retired and joined the beaters. 



We decided, after a little consideration, to go, after the lapse of haK an 

 hour, in a strong body to the place where she had disappeared. When we 

 did so we caught sight of her dark-spotted skin, and we speedily dragged its 

 defunct wearer forth. She was a large panther for a female (6 feet 8 

 inches), and the men were delighted to think that so few of them had effected 

 more than five times their numbers did before. 



We sent the panther to camp, and with my two buU-terriers, Boxer and 

 Rosie, proceeded to hunt up her two cubs. These little spit-fires were 

 speedily seized by the dogs, and we succeeded in capturing them before 

 they were much hurt. They were somewhat larger than cats, but proved 



