580 Great and Small Game of Africa 



steals his prey. During the daytime he sleeps in unfrequented thickets. 

 Negro chiefs pay 15 dollars for the skull in order to get the canine teeth, 

 which they have set in silver and wear either as necklace or bracelet. 

 Before my arrival at Robertsport Mission the goat-pen was attacked by 

 leopards ; one goat was mangled on the spot, and another was taken 

 away and found the next morning by young men from the mission. 

 Young leopards are often caught and taken to the coast for sale. 

 There was an amusing instance of a scare in one ot the West African 

 steamers, whilst it was unloading at Liverpool ; for I may mention in 

 passing that these ships come home stocked like menageries every 

 voyage. The gang of wharfingers were busy in the hold clearing away 

 the cargo, when from right aft came a curious rasping, grinding, tearing 

 sound. Every man stopped to listen, when from the background came a 

 voice, " There's that leopard that escaped during the voyage," and in a 

 moment the hatches were dark with flying forms. After much con- 

 sultation, torches, lamps, shot guns, and rifles were fetched, and a body 

 of intrepid shikaries descended to battle with this dangerous beast. Alas, 

 after an exhaustive search they discovered nothing more than a hungry 

 porcupine, and retired crestfallen ! 



In another part of Africa — Nyasaland — I have seen an instance where 

 a reedbuck ram (Cerv/'capra arundinuni) was attacked by one of these animals, 

 but generally I think they prefer the smaller buck. On Mount Zomba they 

 certainly preyed upon the bushbuck [Tragelaphus scriptus roiialeyni), as their 

 remains testified in the bush. Wherever you shoot, it is (unless you have 

 dogs) almost certain you will never see a leopard to get a shot at it. At 

 night, when the camp fires throw flickering, furtive shadows on the 

 neighbouring acacias, you hear its weird cry. By day you find by its 

 spoor that it has thoroughly explored your camping ground, and if you 

 have goats, fowls, or especially a favourite terrier, look well to them if 

 this marauder is in the neighbourhood. A wounded leopard is a terrible 



