The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-11-30
HUNTING THE LEOPARD.

HUNTING THE LEOPARD.
The leopard of Africa Felis Lsopardus)
there very commonly called tiger or PAN
ther,. which Captain Harris tells us is
very similar in appearance to that in
digenous to India, is common through
out Damaraland, as also Southern Africa
generally; but, from its cunning, active
nature and nocturnal habits, is but
rarely seen.
1t is about two feet seven inches high
at the shoulder, and seven feet six inches
in extreme length. The chin, neck,
breast, belly and inside of the extremi-
ties, are white, the rest varying in differ
ent specimens between tswny, fulvOus,
and reddish.brown, irregularly marked
with spots of black, which differ greatly
in number, size and appearance at differ
ent ages and seasons. 1t is homogeneous,
or solitary.
In its wild state it is an exceedingly
beautiful creature, its motions in the
highest degree easy and graceful, and
its agility in bounding among the rocks
and woods quite amazing. Of its ac-
tivity no person can have an idea by
seeing it in the cages in which these an
imals are usually exhibited, humbled
and tanned, as they are, by confinement
aud the cold and damp of the climate.
Casualties from leopards in my vicin-
ity were not of unfrequent occurrence.
On one occasion, indeed, my Swedish
lad, Axel, was beating some low bushes
in search of game and specimens, when
he suddenly found himself in the pres
ence of one of these beasts, who, ap-
parently, was in the very act of spring
ing upon him, its head being ensconced
between its forelegs, as is its wont on
such occasions. Being probably startled
at the unexpected vision, the youth hur-
riedly raised his fowling-piece to his
shoulder and fired. But the contents,
unfortunately, only lodged in one of the
animals fOrepaws, which it smashed, as
was afterward ascertained, and before
he could pull the second trigger he found
himself in a deadly struggle with the
exasperated brute. However, being a
strong-limbed and courageous young
man, he seized the leopard with both
hands, and for some moments held 1T
down to the ground by main force.
Hearing cries of distress, some Dam
aras who were herding cattle hard by
came up, but seeing the danger, they
beat precipitate retreat. My poor boy
repeatedly pointed with his foot to the
gun, but all in vain, and he began to
despair of his life, as the beast had by
this time dreadfully lacerated both his
hands and his arms, and consequently
untitled him for prolonged strife with
such fierce and powerful opponent.
Providentially the dogs, though not
the most courageous, came to the rescue
and by persistently worrying the beast
in his hinder parts, finally compelled
him to decamp, though not until he hao
killed one of the number. 1t is salts
factory. however, to add that he himsel
was shortly afterward destroyed by I
party of natives, who, on hearing tn
poor fellows cries, promptly ran to tn
spot, and afterward went in pursuit o
the leopard, which died game, having
slain a second dog; two others, more
over, being accidentally shot by thei
owners in the general melee.
As / have said, the lad was fearful
knocked about and mauled. In som
places, especially about the hands an
wrists, the teeth of the animal had az
tually met in the flesh. / am, however
happy to be able to add that with car
and quiet, he ultimately regained tn
use of his arms and hands, though nc
until after much and prolonged suffe
ing.
On another occasion, herd of min
espied a leopard among some rocks, an
being armed he unhesitatingly di
charged his musket, but either misse
his mark, or very slightly wounded tn
brute. The next moment the poor re
low felt himself struck violently to tn
ground, with the teeth of the infuriate
animal deeply buried in his left shou
der. However, by the assistance
some dogs the leopard was made to r
treat after a while, but not until 1t ha
fearfully mauled the man, who, thoue
he recovered temporarily, eventual
) died from the effects of the dreadf
wounds inflicted.
Numerous other instances of the t
, rocity of the leopard have come und
nv own notice, and very many othe
are on record, of which ] shall instan
q few.
D Two African farmers, returning fro
hunting, reused a leopard in mounta
rayine, and Immediately gave chase
: it. The beast at first endeavored TO
cape by clambering. up a preciPice, 0
. being hotly pursued and wounded py
musfet-bail, it turned upon its assailaI
9 with the frantic ferocity peculiar TO u
n animal, and springing upon the M
o who had fired at it, pulled him to I
a ground, biting him at the same time
n the shoulder, and tearing open his chez
: with its claws. The other hunter, 81
. ing the danger Of his comrade, spra
y from his horse and attempted to she
4 the leopard through the head; bl
l. whether owing to trepidation, the ft
II of woundiDg his friend, or the qui
motions of the animal, he unfortunate
missed. The leopard, abandoning
D. prostrate foe, darted with redoubl
n fury upon its new antagonist, and
Ie fierce and sudden was the onset Tn
a before the Boer could stab it with
= hunting-knife, the savage brute strt
o. him on the head with its claws, 9
n- actually tore the scalp over his ey
i" In this frightful condition the hun
le orappled with the leopard, and, str
Il eling for life, they rolled together do
ID a steep declivity. All this passed
= more rapidly than it can be described
a. words. During this dreadful scene,
q. hunter first attacked had started to
ly feet and seized his gun, and, after
ry loading it, he rushed forward to s.
no the life of his friend. But it was
late; the leopard bad seized the un