loose," said the latter to his companion.
"There'd be rare fun in hunting him then."

"You may still have your wish, Dick," said Greenoak over his shoulder.

"I hope not," said Hazel, quickly. "And yet--I oughtn't to mind with
two such dead shots beside me. Yes--I think it would be rather
exciting."

Secretly the girl was not quite at ease. They were in Slaang Kloof now.
Riding beneath the cool shade of the trees, the dim sunlight falling in
network patches where it struggled through the "monkey-ropes" trailing
from bough to ground, there was a sense of dim mystery seeming to grow
out of the place. So strongly did it affect her, that although not in
the least given to hysteria, Hazel Brandon realised that were she alone
here now, she would be conscious of a deadly fear. As it was, what if
the trapped beast had broken loose, and in its mad rage were to pounce
upon them suddenly? No, the thought was not a reassuring one.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

THE TRAPPED LEOPARD.

Soon the forest began to lighten and the tall yellow-wood trees to give
way to high scrub with open patches here and there. Here the Fingo,
Kleinbooi, who had been striding on in front, his kerrie over his
shoulder, now signed them to dismount. This they did, and the horses
were made fast to convenient boughs.

Guided by Kleinbooi they walked cautiously forward, the three men in
front, the girl just behind; Dick Selmes and Greenoak with their pieces
in readiness. Then a vicious snarl, and the clank of iron told them
that the object of their quest was reached, and that at any rate it had
not yet succeeded in breaking loose.

A small runlet here trickled down the kloof in a chain of water-holes.
Beside one of these, in a stony open space, stood a magnificent leopard.
The great iron gin trap had caught the poor beast just above one front
pad, and the powerful grip held him firmly.

At sight of his intending destroyers the creature sank down into a
crouching attitude, uttering a hideous yell that was half a snarl,
evoked by the renewed agony of the movement. His unwounded forepaw was
over the trap, his hindquarters gathered beneath him as though for a
spring, and his long tail waved viciously to and fro. A deep, hoarse,
snarling growl issued from his throat, and in his yellow eyes was a
perfectly fiend-like glare of helpless ferocity. His jaws were dropping
great flakes of foam reddened with blood, for he had been plentifully
licking his wounde