THE STEALTHY LEOPARD 105 that cannot be reached, and which is invisible to the observer. In this instance, after a few moments' cropping of the grass with their legs wide spread, they spotted the camels in the distance, and departed, leaving a tiny imprint in a photographic film.

The bank of the river, explored by Ibrahim and me, was fringed with thick, creeper-covered jungle, of a denser character than usual. The grass was high and rank, and made the paths of hippo, buffalo, and elephant, the only possible ways for us to take.

A rustling in the grass made us stop suddenly ; something had seen or winded us—perhaps had been waiting our approach—and had moved on. But not for many yards. We progressed carefully, with eyes all round us, and nerves collected and tense. I saw small monkeys in a tree 20 yards away, a bank of grass intervening, excitedly moving and chattering, giving news of some enemy's proximity. A step onward, and then, with the agility and power which is so amazing, a splendid leopard bounded into the path ahead.

I wished to make no mistake this time, and advanced so as to get a clear view and sure aim at a much shorter distance. But " Nimr " saw the rifle, and would not wait. I felt somewhat akin to Mustapha and his gcdad, for the leopard leapt back into the darkness of a tree, and doubtless escaped down a deep ditch close by, for no more was seen of him. It appeared to me that he was of a