Chapter V. 
ring of deep mud which turned the camp into a close prison. 
Squatting between four boulders, hedged about by the cases 
of rations, the kitchen implements, the fire, and the tent, he 
had far less chance of exercise than during the polar winter 
which he had spent in Teplitz Bay, where he was forced to 
go half a mile to fetch the meat of some bear hung up by 
the ship, or had to work to disinter the cases of rations, or 
help to run after the dogs. 
The daily visits of a big leopard, whose den was situated 
under the heath forest in the neighbourhood of the camp, did 
not contribute to render the sojourn at Bujongolo pleasant. 
This leopard was observed for the first time, on the 11th of 
June, by a native, not far from the tent devouring two sheep 
belonging to the expedition. On the following night he prowled 
around the camp. On the evening of the 12th, the Duke, who 
was absorbed in writing at the opening of his tent, saw him 
only a few paces off. The animal fled as soon as he stood up, 
but his boldness gave cause to fear for the porters who slept 
unprotected, or for those who went to fetch water for the 
camp. In vain were the surroundings examined and beaten ; 
the animal seemed very cunning, and when hunted never 
allowed himself to be seen. 
On the evening of the 13th, the weather had shown a 
tendency to improve, but during the night grew worse again. 
On the evening of the 14th, however, it seemed really to clear. 
The sky became free from clouds, the last traces of mist melted 
away, and all the mountains came into sight covered far 
down with the fresh snow which had fallen during the last 
days. The intolerable imprisonment was finally coming to an 
end, and the Duke made preparations to start out on the 
following morning to explore the central group of the chain. 
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