A PANTHER HUNT. 
247 
like the sawing of wood. “A panther,” I answered, not 
in the spirit of controversy, but because it really was 
uncommonly like the voice of a panther. However, it 
was not repeated, and H. thought it must be some night 
bird ; so we went on our way. As we got round to the 
east of the fort the walls loomed dark and grand against 
the western sky, and stopping to admire them, I noticed 
a stone, or some other object, very like the head and ears 
of a large cat, on the top of the mound just under the 
walls. “Look there,” I said jocatively, “do you now 
see the panther inspecting us ? ” H. replied, “ I do/' 
At that instant the object moved. “ By the Accountant- 
General,” cried H., “ it is a panther. What shall we do ? 
It will be down on the dogs.” In truth, the situation 
was not a pleasant one. We could not move five yards 
from where we stood without losing sight of the beast 
against the black wall, and then it would be at liberty 
to stalk us in the darkness and take its pick of the dogs. 
Of course it would take Moses, who is fleshy and tender. 
We held a hurried council and decided that H. should 
make for the high road as fast as he could, with the dogs, 
while I should remain where I was and mount guard on 
the panther. As he went away, I saw it raise itself and 
