Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-29
Leopard Adventure. in south Africa

One of the most graceful, active and power
full creatures in existence is the leOpard-sn
animal that inhabts various parts OF India, as
well as all parts of Africa Inferior in strength
to the lion and tiger, it is superior TO these
members of the cat tribe in agility, for the
leopard is like the common cat, tree climber,
and may occasionally be seen crouehing along
a branch waiting for some victim to come with
in its reach
A full grown African leopard attains the
height of three feet, and is about seven feet in
length, a size that gives but feeble idea of the
creatures enormous strength and activity, evil
denceS of both of which must be seen in order
that they may be believed The color and mark
ings of leopard are so well known that it is
unnecessary to describe them; butwe m ay men
ton that the sickness and brilliancy of
leopard's coat, when the creature is enjoying
the freedom of its native wilds, are but poorly
represented by the animals fur as seen in
cage in England. A leopard'S coat shines like
satin when the animal is in full health and ac-
tivity, whilst it seems capable of casting off
every speck OF dust or dirt, so glossy and clean
does it look
The African leopard inhabts forests or plains,
rocky Businesses, or the reedy banks of streams
aud is not particular as to which of these it
selects, so long as the food is plentiful; and as
this animal is great traveller, roaming proba-
bly, thirty or forty miles in a night, it is easy for
it to procure food in country where antelope
are in abundance.
If the country which a leopard selects for its
residence be inhabited by man, the animal will
lie concealed during the daytime, an commence
its wanderlngs as soon as the sun goes down;
but II the country be thoroughly wild, a leopard
Will not hesitate to wander about by day. So
watchful is the leopard and so acute are its
senses, that it is rarely, if ever surprised and SO
cleVerly does 1t slip away and fake advantage of
every bit OF cover, that although the hunter fire.
quently is aware that he is close to the leopard,
yet to see it is uncommon.
A good hunter who has become ACQUAINTED
with the traces left by various animals, seems to
have gained an additional sense for he, by a
glance as it were, learns that he is near some
wild animal, when novice would have no idea
that such was the case. We once had very
good lesson of this kind from young Caffre
VINO was carrying our spare gun and following
us in the orest This man suddenly pointed to
the stem OF tree, and whispered "beka" (look1
We looked, and there saw few scratches on
the bark OF the tree, which had been apparently
very recently made. The Caffre we no.
tlced was peerinS up among the branches of the
tree in search of something, which something
soon indicated its presence, for leopard sprang
from distant branch to the ground, appearing
like fash Of light as the sun shone on its
beautiful coat. The scratches on the tree were
the marks made by the leopard's claws in
ascending, for the leopard is heavy ANIMAL so
whilst it is sufficiently active to climb up the
| stem of tree, still il must hold on with its
| claws firmly to the bark, and thus leaves marks
| on every tree that 1t ascendS.
A leopard also has habit of rolling itself on
| the ground, just as a cat does sometimes on the
hearth rug, and in this process of rolling several
hairs from the creatures fur are usually left on
| the ground, and are seen and recognized by a
| close observer; for in Africa, where, poisonous
| snakes are numerous, the pedestrian who wan
| ders through the forest does not place his toot
| at random on the ground, but looks every now
aNaAN 1a..aK 81 -,
| may not tread on ven0mOuS reptile, or on 8
| dried stick, the cracking of which would alarm
| the neighborhood. Thus every mark on the
| ground is noticed, and smooth patch such as
an animal makes in rolling is at once observed
and consequently is closely searched for SpOol
| or traces OF the creature that lett its marks
Horses and dogs that have been bred in, OIL
have lived long in Africa, become particularly
watchful and conscious of the presence OF
| leonard. An old dog, who was for long time
| our constant companion, had very wholesome
| dread of leopard-and for good reason. Thi.
dog was on visit to a house about four miles
| from Naples, and was lying fast asleep in a cor
ner Of the room, when leopard leaped in at
the window, seized small dog and jumped out
| again. How our old dog managed il | could
never ascertain, but he managed to get out Of
| the room, and in spite of the dangers of the
road, made his way down to our hut, where he
| presented himself wild and trembling, and iu q
very tired and dirty condition, for the dew was
| very heavy, and he had evidently made his way
| through long grass or bushes, and had so got
wet aud then muddy.
This dog always informed me when leop
ard was near. II he was hunting for buck Of
| birds his tail would wag from side to side like
an English pointer which is beating the turnip.
for partridges, whilst his ears were erected anC
| his eye looked eager and bold. Suddenly
| however, the scent of leopard would be dstn
guished by the knowing old hound; in an in
slant his whole appearance would alter, his tai
would drop and then pass down between hi.
hind legs and curl up in front of one of them
his ears would be pressed back and his eye ex
| hibit wild and startled expression. Immcdi
| ately after these signs he would come back tC
| us and keep as close TO our legs as possible
| These indications always meant "a leopard il
| near" and we rarely failed on close examina
ton to find fresh traces of a leopard near wher,
these signs were exhibited.
The first leopard we ever saw in its wild stat,
was out in wide plain miles away from any
| bush, kloof or forest, or locality which seemed
likely TO afford secure cover to Il leopard. W.
were riding with friend in search of antelope
the country was open, with long grass covering
| it, rocks and dry water courses being the onl,
| breaks to the otherwise Hat, smooth surface
| As we rode slowly on we saw some ANNA
moving in the distance, and this animal w
marked down in some long grass. We rode to
ward the spot where the animal had disappear
nothing until we came TO the edge of kind
of dry ditch, when we remarked a Sigh
movement Of the grass on the opposite bank
about ten PAGES from us. Just as we turned
our horses slightly, in order to get the object OF
our left and thus have fair shot at IL, NJ
jumped magnificent leopard, which gave
| savage snarl, and showed his teeth as he bound
cd away like hare.
The effect on our two horses was magical; in.
stead of standing steady, as well behaved
shooting horse ought TO do they both started, on,
backing rapidly, whilst the other twisted round
and reared, thus eifectually preventing ain
being taken at the leopard, whose speed wa,
sueh that he was soon out of bullet range aud
lost sight of amidst the long grass and undula
tlons OF ground. This leopard was ful-sized
but not as dne specimen as many which W,
| with.
The first fair shot we ever obtained at a leon
ard occurred when we were searching for buch
in the bush. As we were crossing a little oper
space between two dense portions OF bush, W,
saw some animal conceal itselfamong the bushe