The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-09
A Leonard Hunt.

A traveller in South Africa describes
the following adventure With slack
rein ! rode the dogs we're clustered
around me, for the beat Of tho afternoon
and want Of water had commenced 10
tell upon them, when up sprang the
largest leopard that | had ever seen,
and at an easy canter, grunting at every
stride il took, made for few scattered
trees.
The appearance Of the game was SO
sudden, that ID was some moments before
| left the saddle, and when 1 got ready
10 shoot, the dogs were between me and
the object of my aim. At length / got
"A clear shot, and fired the bullet rico
cheted under the leopard's feet, but Ia
doing 30 hit some part OF It's body.
However, giving no more evidence Of
it's mishap than a shorter and more
savage growl, AS we'll AS an acceleration
of speed, it pursued It's course as hereto
fore. BY this time the dogs were crowd
ing it, but none dare lay hold, for such
an act Of temerity would have insured
instant death.
Soon the trees were reached but in-
stead Of the leopard taking shelter IN
them, il turned round on the dogs, and
the pack scattered like chat before the
wind. / approached, and got Of my
horse, having taken my double gun in
place Of the lately discharged single
barreilei rifle. To my surprise none Of
the bushmen would 60 closer. The
dogs, owing 10 my presence, became
more and more bold and clainorous one
cur that had picked up at Hartebeest-
fontein, near kleTksdorp, particularly
distinguished himself but his prowess
cost him dear. for the now thoroughly
enraged cat made a dash forward, and
with a sweep Of her paw gave Macguire
such wounds that he could scarcely
crawl from the scene OF accident. IL
this continued longer, / clearly saw that
not one Of my ours would be left, SO i
advanced 10 get clear shot, and so ter
inmate the matter. This WIS difficult,
as the dogs always kept between me and
the game, but continued 20 approach
closer aud closer. However, the panther
had singled me for his next victim !;
with a couple of bounds IL cleared the
yelping hounds. and in a moment would
have been on me, but that a snap shot
stopped IL IN its charge as, manned and
incapacitAted for further injury, Il bit
aud clawei the dust. / gave II Il second
barrel ai a short range, and thus ended
the fracAs.
With the exception Of the buffalo, this
is the most dangerous animal that can
be encountered T; its activity is surpris.
ing, and its vitality unequalled. More
over. il exceeds all other animals by Its
audacity At night in approaching an en-
campment, when dogs are its favorite
prey. Horses also are among It's prin-
cipal victims, especially colts, and many
are the inhabitants Of Soshong who have
Justly 10 complain of the serious damage
they have suffered az lis hands.
Rocks and copies are the favorife
resort uf the leopard never before or
since have found il on the open Welt.
The animal just killed was as large as
n two-year-old lion cub, exceeding high
on ita legs, and very light in the body
mor,S resembling my old friend, the
hunting-leopari, or oheetah, OF India,
thar any Of the species have previously
met in Africa. It's body was beautifully
marked, each primrose having "A clearly
defined yellow center.