s formed which
would, I hoped, afford us ample protection. As the sun struck down into
the woodland glade with great force, we took our seats within the hut
for the sake of the shade, and discussed a further portion of our
provisions. I saw that Natty was very sleepy, though he was trying his
utmost to keep awake. I therefore told him to lie down, and that I
would watch. Finding a branch of a tree torn off, perhaps by lightning,
I chopped a piece of sufficient length to serve as a pillow, and having
examined it carefully to see that no scorpion or other stinging insect
lurked within, I placed it under his head, and sat down at the entrance
of our leafy bower to keep watch, with my gun by my side, ready for
action at a moment's notice. I felt somewhat drowsy, but made every
effort to arouse myself, feeling the importance of keeping awake.
Presently I heard a slight rustling, as if some animal was moving among
the bushes near me; but without shifting my position I could see
nothing. Then I heard a sound as if creatures were nibbling grass or
leaves. This made me sure that no savage beast caused the sounds, and I
sat quiet, expecting soon to discover what creatures they were.
Presently two beautiful fawns came in sight. They did not perceive me,
but went on quietly grazing, unconscious of the presence of one of their
many enemies. At length they came full before me. "Shall I fire?" I
asked myself. "One of them would afford us ample food till we could
reach home." I was afraid, however, that should I move to raise my
rifle, and get into a better position for taking aim, they would
instantly be off, and bound into the thicket before I could even fire.
While I was considering (though sportsmen may laugh at me, I own I was
unwilling to kill one of the beautiful creatures), another, of a very
different character, appeared on the scene. Suddenly I caught sight of
a pair of glaring eyes amid the thick gloom of the thicket on my left.
I saw a large tiger-looking animal of a fawn colour, the back variegated
with round black spots. I guessed at once that the creature was a
_cheetah_, or hunting leopard, and thought it was lying in wait for the
deer till they should approach within distance of its spring. I had no
idea, however, that it could make so prodigious a bound as it at that
moment did; for scarcely had I seen it, when it sprang out of its
ambush, and alighted on the unfortunate buck, which it struck down with