AFRICA, 47 
feeing It come forth, I penetrated Into tht 
heart of the thicket, beating on every fide 
with my muiket, to remove the branches 
which intercepted my paffage. But words 
can hardly exprefs the ftupor and terror 
which froze the blood in my veins, when, 
having reached the centre of the bufh, I faw, 
flaring me in the face, a furious and mon- 
ftrous panther : its attitude after it perceived 
me, its flaming eye-balls fixed upon me, its 
neck ftretched out, its jaws half extended, 
and its hollow roaring, all feemed to an- 
nounce my deftruftion. I indeed already 
believed that I was devoured ; but the cool 
courage of my dog faved my life. By keep- 
ing the animal at bay, and making him hefi- 
tate between rage and fear, I had leifure to 
return foftly to the borders of the thicket ; 
whilfl: my admirable dog kept clofe to his 
mafter, refolved no doubt to pefifh along with 
him. When I had reached plain ground, I 
made towards the public road as foon as 
poffible, cafting every now and then a look 
behind me. Hearing at a diftance feveral re- 
ports of a mufket fired, at certain intervals, 
I concluded that they muft proceed from my . 
companion^ 
