There is sure to be blood, and the natives will have no difficulty
in tracking them."
The rest of the night passed quietly, although roars and howling
could be heard from time to time in the distance.
Early in the morning they started with the Houssas.
"We must be careful today," Mr. Goodenough said, "for a wounded
leopard is a really formidable beast."
There was no difficulty in taking up the traces.
"One of them at least must be hard hit," Mr. Goodenough remarked;
"there are traces of blood every yard."
They had gone but a short distance when one of the Houssas gave a
sudden exclamation, and pointed to something lying at the edge of
a clump of bushes.
"Leopard," he said.
"Yes, there is one of them, sure enough. I think it's dead, but
we cannot be too cautious. Advance very carefully, Frank, keeping
ready to fire instantly."
They moved forward slowly in a body, but their precaution was
unnecessary. There was no movement in the spotted, tawny skin as
they advanced, and when they came close they could see that the
leopard was really dead. He had been hit by two bullets. The first
had struck his shoulder and exploded there, inflicting so terrible
a wound that it was wonderful he had been able to move afterwards.
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