d some five feet
below, and, still screaming, disappeared through the curtain of pouring
rain.

But the sounds from the living-room still continued with increasing
violence, augmented now by cries from Billy, whose form I dimly descried
outlined against the dark background of the open door; and a perception
of what had happened, and was still happening, leapt to my brain with
sudden enlightenment.

"Bring a light, Billy, quick!" I shouted, as I sprang through into the
living-room and, instinctively avoiding the table that stood in the
middle of the room, flung myself upon the struggling group on the floor.
My hands at once came into contact with Kit's hairy hide, and slid
along it until they closed upon the collar round his neck, when,
exerting all my strength, I dragged the beast, still savagely snarling
and resisting, off the writhing and groaning form at my feet. Somehow--
to this day I know not how--I managed to drag the fiercely struggling
creature out of the room and back to the veranda, where I securely tied
him up again. Then I returned to the living-room as Billy entered it
with a lighted lamp.

I took the lamp from him and said:

"Light the lamp in my room, boy, and then lend me a hand to put this man
on my bed."

I next turned to the writhing, groaning figure on the floor and saw
that, as I had already surmised, it was that of--Svorenssen! He was
dressed only in shirt and trousers, both of which, rain-sodden and
drenched with blood, were torn to rags by the teeth and claws of the
leopard, which was still raving outside and doing his utmost to break
adrift from his moorings. The man's injuries, especially about the
throat, shoulders, arms, and chest, were shocking; and I felt that, with
the limited appliances at our command, there was but very small hope of
saving his life. He still grasped in his right hand a formidable
bludgeon, and a similar weapon lay on the floor near him.

I had only time to take in these details when Billy returned, and
between us we contrived to half carry, half drag the writhing and
groaning Finn into my room and deposit him on my bed. I then sent Billy
to the natives' room, the occupants of which had been roused by the
disturbance, bidding him set them to work providing warm water and such
other matters as I thought I might require.

Guided by the book of instructions attached to the medicine-chest, I did
the best I could for the injured man; but his wounds were of so