146 
THE HUNTING LEOPARD. 
frantic ferocity, and, springing upon the 
who had fired at him, dragged him from 
horse, biting him at the same time on 
shoulder, and tearing one of his cheeks sevcr^^/ 
with his claws. The other hunter, seeing 
danger of his comrade, leaped from his hot®^ 
and fired, with the intention of shooting 
leopard through the head ; but, whether fro”' 
trepidation, the fear of wounding his frieO'^' 
or the quick motions of the beast, he misso*^ 
his aim. Abandoning his prostrate foe, 
leopard darted with redoubled fury upon 
second antagonist ; and so fierce and sud^o” 
was the onset, that, before the boor coul^ 
stab him with his hunting knife, the sav'O^^ 
beast struck him on the head with his cla'' 
and toi e the scal23 over his eyes. In tb^^ 
frightful condition the hunter grappled 
the leopard; and, before the man who 
been first attacked could start upon his 
and seize his gun, they were rolling one 
