286 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA VS 
CHAP. 
with stones, and a lucky hit induced the leopard 
to either jump or fall into the middle of the hounds. 
There was an exceedingly large dog named Pirate, 
a cross between mastiff and bloodhound; he im¬ 
mediately seized the leopard, and a general fight 
ensued, the whole pack supporting Pirate in his 
attack. Captain E. Palliser, late 7th Hussars, 
quickly thrust his hunting-knife under the shoulder, 
and in a few minutes the hounds were worrying a 
dead leopard. 
Some few years ago the hounds belonging to the 
late Mr. Downall hunted a leopard at Newera 
Ellia, and a tremendous struggle ensued. There 
were several very powerful and large seizers among 
the pack, and the enemy was overmatched, but 
although the big dogs had the mastery of the animal, 
they could not actually kill it outright. General J. 
Wilkinson was on the spot, and he thrust his hunt¬ 
ing-knife into the fatal spot; but he was a little too 
slow in withdrawing the blade ; the dying leopard 
made a quick blow with its fore paw, and inflicted a 
serious wound upon his hand, lacerating the muscles 
of the thumb to a degree that rendered surgical 
treatment necessary for several weeks. When 
using the hunting-knife, extreme dexterity is to be 
observed in delivering the stab, and instantaneously 
recovering the weapon. There is no object to be 
gained by keeping the knife within the wound, and 
there is considerable danger of injury to the hand. 
If the knife is used by an expert it will never be 
held with the point downwards like a dagger, but 
