Page 100 - Adventures in Africa

tinkee,” cried Jan, who had remained with the ox at
a safe distance.

As we were in a hurry to move on, I saw that the
sooner I did this the better, but it was important to
shoot it dead, for should I miss or only wound it, it

might make its leap before I had reloaded, and attack
me and Jan,

I advanced, and taking good aim, pulled the
trigger, but what was my dismay to find my gun
miss tire, while at llie same moment the leopard
made a spring from a high bough on which it was

perched. I expected the next instant to feel its fangs
in my neck, and be struck to the ground by its sharp

claws; but happily its feet caught in some of the
creeping vines which were entwined round the tree,
and it very nearly came toppling to the ground on its
head. Recovering itself, however, it pitched on a

lower bough.
I, in the meantime, endeavouring to be calm, cleaned

out the nipple of my gun, and put a fresh cap on ; then
retiring a few paces while the creature gazed down
upon me, about to make another spring, I fired at its

head, into which the bullet buried itself, and down it
crashed to the ground,
I leaped back, and reloading, stood ready to give it

another shot, but this was unnecessary; after a few
convulsive struggles, it lay helpless on the ground.
On drawing near I found that it was dead. The

skin being a handsome one, I determined to secure
it. W ith Jan's assistance, I soon had it off
and placed on the back of the ox. I now as­

cended the tree, and found that though the ends