VIII 
THE LEOPARD 
291 
to believe that so small a pair of jaws can inflict a 
deadly wound almost immediately. 
I have already remarked upon the wide difference 
in the size of leopards, showing that the largest, 
which are sometimes known as panthers, are almost 
equal to a small tigress. Some of this class 
possess extraordinary power, in carrying a heavy 
weight within their jaws. At a place called 
Soonbarro, in the Jubbulpur district, we were 
camped upon a large open space entirely devoid 
of bush. The ground was free from grass, and 
dusty, therefore the surface would expose every 
track. Three full-grown sheep were tied to the 
cook’s tent, well secured to a strong peg. In the 
morning only two remained, but the large tracks of 
a leopard or panther were deeply printed in the 
dust, and the sheep had been carried off bodily, as a 
big dog would carry a hare. The jungle at the 
base of a range of hills, almost perpendicular and 
full of caves, was the great resort of leopards, bears, 
and jackals ; the sheep had been actually carried 
quite half a mile without leaving a trace upon the 
ground to show that it had been partially dragged, 
or that the leopard had stopped to rest. This was 
an admirable proof of a great carrying power, as 
nothing could have moved upon that dusty surface 
without leaving a well-printed trace. 
Although the cubs of leopards are charming play¬ 
things, and exhibit much intelligence and apparent 
affection, it is a great mistake to adopt such com¬ 
panions, whose hereditary instincts are certain to 
