258 
A COLONY IN THE MAKING 
CHAP. 
so hot on this question, it may be presumed that the 
evidence is by no means conclusive. In this Protec¬ 
torate, however, the balance of probability seems to be 
in favour of innocence, and for the following reasons : 
there are very many districts in which there are 
tsetse-fly and no buffalo, and others again in which 
there are buffalo and no tsetse-fly. This argument 
seems to me a pretty strong one, though I must confess 
to being prejudiced. There is a commission now 
sitting to weigh the evidence on both sides. All good 
sportsmen must hope that the verdict will be favourable 
to the buffalo, since not only is he a glorious animal, 
but he seems one which may exist in the great forests 
and swamps even under the closest of white settlement. 
The Leopard and possibly the Cheetah are capable 
of providing sport to the settler, and both of them form 
highly prized trophies. The leopard, unfortunately, 
can only be classed as a most mischievous vermin. Not 
strong enough to tackle cattle, he is a scourge to both 
sheep and ostriches, and no means are too unsporting 
to banish him from their vicinity. Probably poison is 
the most effective way, but a box trap is generally 
successful, and has the additional advantage that the 
skin is thereby preserved. In his wild state a leopard’s 
staple food is formed by duiker, small buck and guinea- 
fowl, and where these exist in large numbers one may 
be pretty sure of his presence. Larger specimens are 
very partial to impala, and will even puli down harte- 
beeste. They are extremely powerful and will carry 
off a ram impala or bushbuck of near 200 lb. a great 
distance, and occasionally right up a tree. Even 
greater caution should be used in following a wounded 
leopard than a lion, since they are so much quicker in 
attack, and are also capable of leaping down on the 
