Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-01-04
Hunting u Leopard.
BY rAuL Du onAIlLU.

hui,ihS itOpHiu'
81 PAUL Du oInuLU
That night We were to sleep in the forest
So before sunset, We built large camp for
shelter. But there was no sleep for me
the leopards were too plentiful, and their dis
NAL and ferocious howls resoundng not far
from the camp told me that we had better
keep bright lookout l forbade any one to
move out Of the light of the fires during the
night but there was little need of the eau
tion, as they knew very well that if they did
they would never.come back to the camp
The next day proposed a leopard-hunt. The
next morning, when | got up and said We
must find the lair Of the leopard, the people
seemed to back down; but was not willing
to give it up, as the leopards were evidently
not far from us and their lair must be near
by. | wanted only four Apugi to 90 with
me So | called four Of the warriors
gave two guns to them, and one preferred to
90 with his war spears.
After while we came to the bank Of a
little stream, where | discovered the foot
prints of huge leopard in the soft ground,
What paws it must be an old and ferocious
animal. have not the slightest doubt that
the monster was an old fellow, and that it
was the one that came so near our camp du-
ring the night and nothing but the big fires
we had kept up had frightened him away and
prevented him from pouncing upon US. I'M
less the leopard had caught something last
night, he must be iearfully hungry and con-
sequently very fierce. | must look out, for,
in that case, if | sec him shall have but very
little time to fire, for in a jiify he will spring
upon me, said | to myself.
| So | carefully followed along the banks Of
the stream the footprints Of the huge cat. If
he sees me first he may pounce upon me- as
cat does upon mouse. must be careful.
The Aping are watchful. They look all
around their ears are ready to hear the
least noise. All at once | hear cluck from
one Of the men. | stop; he points out to me
a spot ahead, just by the stream, where the
underbrush or jungle is very thick. Huge
trees have fallen one upon another, and it is
impossible to see through the mass. The
leopard must be there. This dark place must
be his abode for the day There he hides
himself and sleeps, and from there he starts
upon his depredations, spreading fear and
terror among beasts aud men. | stand ready
to fire at seconds notice. | wish you
could have seen me- knew it was a matter
of life and death with me- | follow the
track Of the leopard for it had walked all
along the little stream. The Apingi men are
not mistaken. Suddenly the footprints leave
the river, and the last see Of them show
that the animal has retired into that thick,
dark and almost impenetrable jungle, where
the Apingi had told me that the leopard was
concealed. This is dangerous game. can
not see the enemy. 1t is dangerous to 60 in.
| can not back out | dare not show the
Apingi that | am afraid. But then | do not
wish to be killed by an inluriated leopard.
The best thing | can do is to use caution as
| enter the thicket. The Apingi are almost
afraid to 90 in. But we must do it. lead
Oh, | wish | had some native dogs with me !;
they would bark and show US the lair Of the
leopard. After while succeeded in climb
ing to the top of the huge tree that had been
torn down by tornado. 1t is at least ten
feet in diameter. When once lodged there
take view of thesurroundings The Apingi
are close at my back. They are evidently
afraid, and, for myself, do not feel very
comfortable, for you will agree with me that
it is difficult position to be in, not to see the
exact location Of such dangerous enemy as
the leopard, which at any moment might be
down on my back, his claws fastened in my
shoulders, and his big teeth in my neck
Such thoughts were not very reassurng to a
worn traveller.
| must confess that | was very much ex-
cited. | looked round and round. The
slightest noise made by the wind through the
trees would startle me. thought the loop.
ard was close at hand and ready to spring
upon me. | would have given good deal
to see him. Carefully came down tho trunk
of the huge tree, and continued to press for
ward with my Apingi into the thickest part
of this already very thick jungle.
Suddenly the faces Of Apngi men become
excited. They stop walking. The strong
odor of the leopard is clearly porceptibe he
is evidently not far from us. We are upon
the leopard, and he is probably eyeing us,
and ready to make a spring We must hur-
ry to sec him, for surely destruction is COM
ing upon us unless We destroy the animal. l
looked ahead into q thick bush, where were a
large number Of broken branches. 1t seems
almost dark, though it is not noon yet, and
the sky is clear, and the sun shines resplend-
emily, Everything around is in gloom. A
cold shiyer runs through me, A feeling Of
insecurity begins to possess me. | must
check it for if | do not, my arm will not
be steady, and shall miss the monster if
see him. The thought of home and friends
rushed to my mind The feeling Of insecure
ty suddenly disappeared. must conquer
this big wild cat Of the forest. If ho is
wary, | too must be wary.
Whew halo l see the monster He
is lying on the dead branch Of tree. lie
leaps upon the ground and crouches upon it
His tail wage to and fro, showing that he is
enragcd. His eyes glisten with singular
light He springs, but, just as his body
seems to rise from tho ground, tremendous
and deadly steel-p3is.Jd bullet goes through
his head, and three spears Of the Apingi are
plunged into his body. The monster rolls Oh
the ground upon his back, uttering fearful
yells Of pain that FIJI the forest, and drive
every living animal from tho neighborhood
BY this time my breath is taken away. an
80 excited that my heart beats with fearfu
quiekness. l must be pale as death, for th'
excitement is great for, one second more
and the monster would have madc its deadly
rprina, which would have bcen destruction
, TO me. si
i was glad whom The chase was over, aud
concluded that ! would rather chase the loop