e physical force dashed the leopard's brains out on
the jagged edges of the stump. It was a splendid instance of presence
of mind. He was horribly mauled of course; in fact I believe he lost
his arm, but he saved his life. It shows the danger of only wounding a
leopard, especially if he is coming towards you; always wait till he
has passed your station, if it is practicable. If you _must_ shoot,
take what care you can that the shot be a sure one.

In some of the hill stations, and indeed in the villages on the plains,
it is very common for a leopard to make his appearance in the house or
verandah of an evening.

One was shot in Bhaugulpore station by the genial and respected
chaplain, on a Sunday morning two or three years ago. As we went along,
H. told us a humorous story of an Assistant in the Public Works
Department, who got mauled by a leopard at Dengra Ghat, Dak Bungalow.
It had taken up its quarters in a disused room, and this young fellow
burning, with ardour to distinguish himself, made straight for the room
in which he was known to be. He opened the door, followed by a motley
crowd of retainers, discharged his gun, and the sequel proved that he
was _not_ a dead shot. He had only wounded the leopard. With a bound
the savage brute was on him, but in the hurry and confusion, he had
changed front. The leopard had him by the back. You can imagine the
scene! He roared for help! The leopard was badly hit, and a plucky
_bearer_ came to his rescue with a stout _lathee_. Between them they
succeeded in killing the wounded animal, but not before it had left its
marks on a very sensitive portion of his frame. The moral is, if you go
after leopard, be sure you kill him at once.

They seldom attack a strong, well-grown animal. Calves, however, goats,
and dogs are frequently carried off by them. The young of deer and pig,
too, fall victims, and when nothing else can be had, peafowl have been
known to furnish them a meal. In my factory in Oudh I had a small,
graceful, four-horned antelope. It was carried off by a leopard from
the garden in broad daylight, and in face of a gang of coolies.

The most commonly practised mode of leopard shooting, is to tie a goat
up to a tree. You have a _mychan_ erected, that is, a platform elevated
on trees above the ground. Here you take your seat. Attracted by the
bleating of the goat, the prowling leopard approaches his intended
victim. If you are on the watch you can generally detect his a