Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-02-19
THE HUNTING LEOPARD.
A SINGULAR KIND OF SPORT WHICH
is PRACTiCeD IN THE JUNGLE.
The Cheetah the fleetest of All Wing,
less TLings-strangling His Prey-A
Feast Of Biood-A Terrible Looking
Dew-Claw and Its Work.

only instance that | ever saw OF the black
buck being run into and killed by the
cheetah, or hunting leopard. Many con,
slider this low kind of sport, but think
it is quite equal to partridge shooting, be-
sides being a beautiful sight | shall
therefore describe as well as can what
saw. On arriving with my friends at the
place of meeting in the jungle we found a
few OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES looking natives in
| charge of three carts, or, rather, small
! two-wheeled platforms, drawn by bull
ocks On each vehicle sat, in an erect at
titude, beautiful leopard, strongly
chained, and with hood over his eyes
similar TO those used for hawks. We were
soon under way and driving toward the
herd Of antelopes which could be seen
grazing in the distance and which had
been marked down beforehand. There
was no difficulty in getting the carts to
within 10 Yards of the deer Then one of
the cheetahs, a fine male, was unhooded
and set free.
THE swIFTEsT OF ALL ANIMALS.
Its departure from the gharry and its
decision in choosing the most covered line
in the open plain for rushing on its prey
were so instantaneous and rapid as to be
quite marvellous. IL seemed to vanish
from the cart and appear simultaneously
halfway toward the fine black buck 1t
had singled out for attack. When at
about thirty yards from the unsuspicious
troop they suddenly became aware Of the
deadly peril they were in. One and all
sprang into the air with galvanic bounds,
and no doubt expected TO escape easily by
flight. But the hunting cheetah is, sup
pose, for hundred yards, by far the fleet
est of all wingless things; and this one
was soon in the midst of the affrighted
throng, which scattered wildly and panic
stricken in all directions, as their leader
fine black buck-was struck down in
their midst. There he lay. alone, in his
death agony, In the deadly clutch Of his
beautiful and relentless foe. We ran as
hard as we could and were soon surround
ing the strange group.
Neither animal moved, for the buck was
paralyzed by fear-his startling eyeballs
and dilated nostrils alone gave evidence of
life. The cheetah, on the other hand, with
his body spread out over the PROSTATE
form of his victim, seemed to strain every
nerve in pressing his prey against the
earth as with his long. sharp fangs buried
III It's lcllCdlt lnTulls lie tptltlnntu lHt
process of strangulation. He was very
motionless, but his eyes were fixed upon
us with Il glare Of extraordinary ferocty
that became intensified rs his keepers
rushed forward and seized the deer by the
hind leg. The brute now grow..ad fiercely,
and, Tightening his clutch, looked so ex-
tremely dangerous that / was far from
envying those who were in such close
proximity to him. But they know their
trade. With long. sharp knife they cut
the deer's throat and caused the warm
blood to spout in torrents into the face of
the half-wild beast, whose whole frame
now seemed TO thrill with ecstasy. One
OF the operators, in the meanwhile, caught
quantity of the crimson life stream in a
wooden bowl, and forced the steaming
fluid under the very nose of the excited
leopard, who, quitting his hold, at once
began to lap with avidity.
GIVING AWAY THE "LIoN's SHARE"
While engaged in this process the
leather hood was swiftly clapped over his
eyes, and the collar, with two chains at
tached, was adjusted round his neck.
While this was going on third man had
cut off one of the bucks hind legs. and
this, the "lion's SHARE" was held close to
the bloody chalice, which was no sooner
emptied than the brute seized the meat
thus provided with vise-like grip. Each
chain was now grasped by n different
man, who. by keeping apart so that the
tether remained taut, kept the leopard
between them In such q way that neither
was within reach of his claws or teeth.
Then the third individual, who had ever
retained his hold of the shank-bone Of the
leg Of yenison, gently drew the cheetah to
the little cart that had now been brought
close up. As soon ms the beast felt him
self against the edge Of his own familiar
chariot he sprang lightly upon il and pro-
ceeded To demolish his succulent moroccan
at his ease.
now inspected the carcass of the deer
with a view Of ascertaining. il possible,
how the cheetah had been able so instan-
taneously to strike down such a powerful
animal Immediately on getting up with il.
at once observed single long, deep cash
in the flank which was evidently caused
by the decisive blow. But could not i'm
agine with what weapon the leopard had
been able TO inflict this Strengthening
wound, for the cheetah has a foot like
dog and his claws are not retractile.
Turning then TO the beast as il sat upon
the cart, / inspected II closely and saw
that the dew-claw, which in the dog ap-
pears such useless appendage, is repre-
sented In this brute by terrible-looking
talon exactly suited to the infliction u
such gash.-Cor Our Indian Stations.