CHAPTER XXVIII 
TWO LEOPARD STORIES 
Lake Nyassa is, for the most part, surrounded by 
high hills, which send down ridges and ravines 
almost to the water’s edge. The land between the 
mountains and the actual lake being very fertile, the 
natives settle there in great numbers ; in fact, the 
whole of the eastern shore of this expanse of water 
may be said to consist of a continuous line of villages. 
Rice gardens flourish along the margin of the Lake, 
and other gardens lie behind them and stretch back 
to the hills. All this country forms an ideal home 
for the leopard, for he can pass the day in the cool 
shade of the deep gulleys, and at night steal down 
to the villages to look for the dainties he loves so 
well—especially sheep, goats, dogs, and fowls. 
Some time ago, I was encamped at Chingomangie’s 
village, near the Lake shore, and had with me, at 
the time, a flock of thirteen ducks. In the light of 
good old superstition, an adverse fate was bound to 
cut short their career, and, to assist fate in the matter, 
