138 THE LEOPARD. 



and charges at them with such determinate rage, that, unless it falls a victim to a well-aimed 

 shot, it may do fearful damage before it yields up its life. In consequence of the ferocity and 

 courage of the Leopard, the native African races make much of those warriors who have been 

 fortunate enough to kill one of these beasts. 



The fortunate hunter is permitted to decorate his person with trophies of his skill and 

 courage, and is looked on with envy by those who have not been able to earn such honorable 

 distinctions. The teeth of the Leopard are curiously strung, with beads and wire, into a neck- 

 lace, and hung about the throat of the warrior, where they contrast finely with their polished 

 whiteness against the dusky hue of the native' s brawny chest. The claws are put to similar 

 uses, and the skin is reserved for the purpose of being dressed and made into a cloak, or 

 "kaross," as this article of apparel is popularly termed. The tail is cut off, and, being hung 

 to a string that passes round the waist, dangles therefrom in a most elegant and fashionable 

 manner. If a Kaffir is able to procure some eight or ten tails, which he can thus suspend 

 around his person, he is at the very summit of the aristocratic world, and needs no more 

 attractions in the eyes of his comrades. Generally these "tails" are formed from the skin 

 of the monkey, which is cut into strips, and twisted so as to keep the hairy side of the fur out- 

 wards. But these are only sham tails, and are as nothing in comparison to the real tail which 

 is taken from a veritable Leopard. 



The natives seem in some way to connect the Leopard' s skin with the idea of royalty, and 

 to look upon it as part of the insignia of majesty, even when it is spread on the kingly throne, 

 instead of hanging gracefully from the kingly shoulders. And, though the throne be but a 

 mound of earth, and the shoulders be redolent with rancid grease, yet the native African 

 monarch exercises a sway not less despotic than that of the former Turkish Sultans. 



The Leopard, like most of the feline tribe, is very easily startled, and, if suddenly alarmed, 

 will in most cases make off with the best speed possible. As the creature is so formidable a 

 foe, it may be imagined that to meet it on equal terms would be a proceeding fraught with the 

 utmost danger. Yet this is not the case, for there are innumerable instances of such rencon- 

 tres, where both parties seemed equally surprised by the meeting, and equally anxious to 

 shorten its duration as much as possible. One of these adventures, which was told me by 

 Captain Lrayson, R.A., who had learned the tale from the hero — if so he may be called — of the 

 narrative, was a most singular one, and one in which was more of peril than is usually the case. 



A Dutch Boer — one of the colonists of Southern Africa — was travelling across country, 

 and, permitting the wagons to precede him at their slow uniform pace, amused himself by 

 making a wide detour in search of game. Towards the end of his circuit, and just as he was 

 coming in sight of the wagons in the far distance, he came upon a clump of scattered rocks, 

 from which suddenly leaped no less then seven Leopards. In the hurry of the moment he 

 acted in a very foolish manner, and fired his single-barrelled gun at the group. Fortunately 

 for himself, the result of the adventure turned out better than he deserved ; for, instead of 

 springing upon the Boer, who was quite at the mercy of so formidable a party, the Leopards 

 only started at the report of the gun, and one or two of them, leaping on their hind legs, 

 clawed at the air as if they were trying to catch the ball as it sang by their ears. 



In its own country the Leopard is as crafty an animal as the British fox ; and being aided 

 by its active limbs and stealthy tread, gains quiet admission into many spots where no less 

 cautious a creature could plant a step without. giving the alarm. It is an inveterate chicken- 

 stealer, creeping by night into the hen-roosts, in spite of the watchful dogs that are on their 

 posts as sentinels, and destroying in one fell swoop the entire stock of poultry that happen to 

 be collected under that roof. Even should they roost out of doors they are no less in danger, 

 for the Leopard can clamber a pole or tree with marvellous rapidity and with Ms ready paw 

 strike down the poor bird before it is fairly awakened. 



The following narratives of the Cape Leopard and its capture are taken from the anecdotes 

 so kindly placed at my disposal by Captain Drayson. 



The Leopard acts in a very subtle manner, remaining in some unlikely spot near a 

 village, and committing a great amount of havoc before its whereabouts is discovered. I knew 



