50 THE GORILLA HUNTERS.

journey, but could come at no satisfactory conclusion in
my own mind, and, to say truth, I felt not a little crest-
fallen at my conduct in the whole affair.

While wandering in this mood near the spot where
the buffalo had been first wounded, I received a sudden
and severe start on observing the leopard crouching
within a couple of yards of me. I saw it through the
bushes quite distinctly, but could not make quite sure
of its attitude. With a mingled ery of alarm and
astonishment I sprang back to the place where I had
left my rifle.

Jack and Peterkin instantly ran up with their pieces
cocked.

“ Where is it?” they cried in a breath.

“ There, crouching just behind that bush.”

Jack darted forward.

“ Crouching !” he eried, with a loud laugh, seizing the
animal by the tail and dragging it forth ; “why, it’s dead
—stone dead.”

“Dead as mutton,” said Peterkin. “ Hallo! what’s
this ?” he added in surprise. “Two holes close together
in its forehead. JI do declare! Hooray! Ralph, my
boy, give us your paw! You've missed the bull and
hit the leopard! If you haven’t been and put two
bullets right between its two eyes, ’m a Dutchman!”

And so, in truth, it turned out. I had aimed at the
bull and hit the leopard. So I left that spot not a little
pleased with my bad aim and my good fortune.