/ SHOOT A LEOPARD 
59 
quiet save an occasional snore or a groan from a fever- 
stricken man, as he restlessly tossed to and fro on his camel- 
mat. The drumming in the village had ceased. I again 
peered out into the darkness. The kid suddenly stood 
rigid, and stared away from the zareba with ears cocked. 
I stared and stared, but could see nothing. I rubbed my 
eyes. What was that ? I seemed now to make out a gray 
shadowy form with head bent low, gazing intently upon the 
goat. Should I fire now, I thought, or wait- till he charged 
the goat ? Cautiously I pushed my rifle through the loop- 
hole, and slowly raised it to my shoulder, peering down the 
barrels. I saw nothing. I pinched myself to see if I was 
dreaming. No, it must have been imagination. The kid 
lay down. A shudder passed through me, and I wrapped 
my rug more tightly round me as I lay back again in my 
chair. I had hardly dozed off again when I awoke. I 
swear I heard a growl. Again I peered into the darkness. 
The kid was up and staring intently in every direction, 
and beyond stood the same gray phantom. It was getting 
lighter. It would be now or never. The shadow slowly 
crawled towards the now terrified goat. Out of the loop- 
hole went my rifle, as my heart beat hard against my ribs 
with excitement. Yes, I could see his spots now. He was 
within 15 yards of me with his head carried low. I took a 
hurried aim, and — bang 1 — every camel was upon its feet ; 
the sleeping men started up and hurried towards me. I 
stared through the smoke, and beheld the goat still stand- 
ing as if petrified, and just beyond it a gray heaving 
mass. 
' Well done, sare f shouts my headman ; ^ your bullets is 
good — your bullets is good f 
I told him to make a way through the barrier, and fetch 
in the leopard. I got the usual answer. 
^ No bleck men go outside zareba night-time,’ he replied, 
with a huge grin. 
I broke down the zareba, and ran out to examine my 
prize. There within 15 yards of me he lay, his dark spots 
