Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1906-01-18
DEPOSITS FROM 500 UP TAKEN.

easy; but there it was, and I had to
make the best of it. The wall was
rough, though not quite rough enough
to give my fingers an absolutely sure
hold. tried dozen places unsat-
isfied, while the broad-backed keitloa
hung about below, waiting for me to
drop. He seemed quite sure that I
would drop.
II went round the corner at last in a
kind of desperate half-leap, half-swing,
my fingers resting on couple of lit
tie knobs. My feet struck the shelf all
right, but my body seemed disinclined
to follow. tottered for fraction of q
second, frightened completely out OF
my wits; but by catlike wiggle I
managed to regain my equilibrium, and
then, completely unstrung, leaned pant
ing against the scorching rock.
''The keitloa was incensed at my
success. He realized that 1 was slip
ping through his horns. He charged
the ledge, but I was on safe ground.
taunted him all the way along the shelf
and waved my hat at him as I stoOp-
ed to enter the cave AS put my head
into the opening a peculiarly tainted
Whit of air saluted me. It was a heavy.
pungent odor that once smelt can new
er be forgotten. A sunstroke was bet
ter than Stroke from the claw-shod
paw of one of the great cats.
81 backed out gingerly, but the mis-
chief had been done. The cave rum
bled to a deep purring, and loose peb-
bles tinkled. I flattened myself in lit
tie niche in the rock as a leopard with
frosted chin and threatening yellow
eyes stalked out to see who had done
her the honor to call upon her. Her
udders showed that she had young, and
a leopard with cubs will face in their
defense anything that lives.
Luckily for me, her gaze fell di-
rectly upon the old keitloa as he stood
reared against the rock, his ugly muz-
zle jutting over the shelf.
Leopard and keitloa eyed each other.
fixedly for moment. Then the lat
ter sank slowly down and back, as il
awed by the yellow glare Of the big
cats eyes. But the leopard was not in
an equally cautious mood. Her home
had been invaded; this leathery black
brute evidently had designs upon her
young. 1t was necessary that he should
be taught lesson lest he should re-
turn when she was away on the chase.
with low growl she sprang
straight upon the keitloa. I could see
her four musclar legs work conyul-
sively as she strove to drive her
claws in, and her jaws catch the broad
nape in vicious grip. Probably the
keitloa was more surprised than hurt,
for his tremendously thick, tough skin
was almost impervious to such an at
tack. But he was certainly scared. He
galloped at full speed for the tall grass,
the leopard clinging to him like linn
pet.
II am not much of a believer in luck.
When a man pulls through a tight
place, you can depend upon it that
pluck, not luck, is generally RESPONSE
BILE. But couldn't take any credit to
( myself on this occasion.
cit was rather an extraordinary de-
iverance, something over which had
no control, unless you take my leap
round that corner into consideration,
and that really was more of feat than
| I can make it appear.
But didn't stop to think this ont
then. AS soon as the keitlOa and his
rider had plunged into the grass was
| down from the ledge and making as
| fast as could for camp. hadn't
| found any witches on the butte, but I
| agreed with my men that 1t was as
| well to give the place fairly Wide
| berth. YOUTHS Companion.