THE LEOPARD. 139 



that two Leopards were located in the bush at Natal within half a mile of the barracks, and 

 yet they were never seen. The disappearance of a dog and a stray pig were the only indica- 

 tions that they gave to the non-observers of their being in the vicinity. 



I became acquainted with their presence in rather a curious way. Being alone in the bush 

 one day, as was my usual custom, I sat down under the shade of a dark Euphorbia, to watch 

 the habits of a chameleon which I had caught. I set him upon a branch, and saw him try 

 every change of color of which he was capable. At first he was a dull green, then some spots 

 of brown came over him, and he changed all over of a brownish tint ; when I irritated him 

 with my finger he opened his comical mouth and gave a gaping sort of hiss, whilst his swivel 

 eyes pointed each in different directions at the same time. 



Suddenly I heard the scream of a buck at a short distance from me ; and concluding that 

 the animal had been caught in a trap set by the Kaffirs, I grasped my gun, and pushed through 

 the underwood towards the spot. Before I had gone far the noise ceased, and when I reached 

 the place whence I conceived it had come, I saw nothing remarkable ; there was no sign of a 

 buck or of a trap. I therefore examined for spoor, and found that there had been a scuffle on 

 the ground ; and a few yards from the sign blood-spots lay on the leaves, together with small 

 pieces of fur which I recognized as belonging to a Leopard. 



I followed the trail for some distance, but at length lost it. On several successive occa- 

 sions I went over the ground, and always found the spoor of one, and sometimes of two 

 Leopards, either fresh or a day or two old. 



It is a practice of this cunning animal to take up its position near a village, and then go 

 to the farms of another village quite at a distance, so that its lair shall neither be suspected 

 nor discovered. 



The Leopaed when seen in its wild state is a most beautiful and graceful animal ; its 

 motions are easy and elastic, and its agility amazing. Although far inferior to the tiger in 

 size, strength, and intrepidity, and though it shuns man, it is nevertheless, when wounded or 

 driven to desperation, a most formidable antagonist. When hunted with dogs, the Leopard 

 usually takes to a tree, if one should happen to be near. But to approach Mm here is a pro- 

 ceeding fraught with danger ; for from this elevated position he will leap to the ground, and 

 with one spring will be beside his pursuer, who will then fare badly unless he be sufficiently 

 handy with his gun to kill (not wound) the animal in its advance. The Leopard usually 

 selects some elevated position from which to bound upon his prey as it passes underneath. 



I have been told by Hottentots and Kaffirs that this animal has the habit of lying on the 

 ground half concealed by long grass or branches, and then twisting itself about so as to attract 

 the attention of any antelope which may be near. The Leopard, being aware that curiosity is 

 one of the failings of the antelope tribe, carries on its mysterious movements until its victim 

 approaches to investigate what is going on, when it springs on and kills the weak-minded animal. 



It is a well-known fact that the Leopard does a very good business when it devotes its 

 attention to a herd of baboons. Success in this line speaks well for the Leopard ; for he must 

 be an adept in stalking who succeeds in surprising and capturing one of these wide-awake 

 caricatures of humanity. I suspect, however, that the victims are either the old and infirm, 

 or those reckless youngsters who have not paid sufficient attention to the instructions which 

 their anxious parents have endeavored to instil into them. 



It may by said, and with some truth, that when hunting and shooting are made the 

 regular business of life, and more important pursuits neglected, we are merely expending our 

 abilities and sacrificing our energies upon a frivolous pleasure. These objections may certainly 

 have some weight when they are directed against those who devote the whole of their time to 

 mere sporting matters ; whereas field sports should merely be taken up as a relaxation, and as 

 a means of obtaining exercise and skill in those affairs which make an individual "more of a 

 man.''' But these requirements cannot be employed against those who, having a great amount 

 of leisure, occupy their time in hunting such animals as are to be found in India and Africa, 

 and in ridding the country of man-eating tigers and lions, destructive Leopards, or other 

 dangerous and formidable neighbors, — and even when engaged in the pursuit of less noble 



