The Raymer enterprise., 1910-09-08
AN EvENrFUL NIGHT.

We camped for the night beside tho
lake. the natives working until late in
cutting the buffalo meat into large
strips to load on our pack mules for
the journey to the river. Several hun.
dred pounds Of the choicest cuts were
thus provided for our depleted larder.
sir John and took turns during the
night watching the watering place At
the lower point Of the lake two miles
below our camp. We took watches"
of 2h hours. one Of US sleeping in Z
hammock back in the woods while the
other was on duty. At two O'Clock we
changed places, relieving Sir John
who had been up since 1890.
DEADLY DUEL IN THE JUNGLE.
Hardly had l settled myself lin q
large banyan tree which leaned over
a small ravine at an angle Of about
forty-dve degrees and made splendid
lookout) when l saw a small herd Of
beautiful antelope come slowly and
cautiously down the path and enter
the shallow water. They soon became
frightened, however. for they sudden.
ly raised their heads. darted out Of
the water. along the edge Of the bank
short distance and into the under.
brush by different path. Their lead.
er had scented danger and given the
alarm. when they were OF like q shot.
l heard or saw nothing for several
minutes when suddenly long dark
sinewy form crept stealthily down the
path to the waters edge and Tapped
the sparkling water thirstily. In Just
. little time the leopard tfor such 1t
proved to be) apparently heard .
slight noise In the brush above and
quickly went up the bank In long leaps
to banyan tree where he lay fat on
q limb overhanging the path, ready
to pounce down on anything that
passed below him.
LORDS OF THE FOREST CLASH.
The noise In the underbrush grew
louder and in short time great
bull elephant came ponderously crowd
ing himself through the thick under.
brush which bordered the path. As he
came out In the clearing and almost
to the tree wherein the leopard lay, In
walt. the big fellow stopped and
looked about in dignified lordly 81.
lence; then started for the water. Al
he passed directly under the tree the
leopard made a plunge and landed
squarely on the elephants mammoth
shoulders. With shrek Of anger
and pain the elephant started forward
and before he could stop himself he
was well out In the lake. In the
meantime the leopard was biting and
slashing at the elephants back, cut.
ting great gashes In his shoulders
with every stroke Of its paw. The ele.
phant was using his trunk with tell.
Ing effect, however, as he swung Il
over his back and dealt the leopard
terrific blows over the head and
shoulders. At one time the elephant
threw his adversary into the water
with terrific force. and l thought ns
fight was ended. but the leopard Wa
on his back again the instant It arose
to the surface. The elephant had cut
a great cash In the leopard's side with
his tusk as he threw It into the water
and the blood was pouring from both
the animals wounds until the water
around them became . seethins caul'
dron Of crimson. over and over they
rolled screaming and roaring In mad
dened frenzy, nrst one then the other
receiving terrible INJURIES. 1t was the
most magnificent battle ! ever Wit.
messed. and the honors were equal.
even unto the death. Weakened from
| loss Of blood, the Elephant finally fell
| on hin aide In the water but In The
fall the leopard was caught beneath
| the mammoth body and both sool
ceased the struggle. Sir John Wa
aroused BY the noise Of the battle and
arrived on the bank In time to ses The
finish. He agreed with me that II waa
battle royal.
Our natives were aroused later and
drew the carcasses from the water
The elephant had . remarkable pail
Of tusks which weighed 10 pounds
The leopard's skin also proved a'valu'
able one. the animal being Of q
tranfdinarY sixa.