like himself, made a
descent on Glen Lynden--not, by any means, the first that his fraternity
had made. Not so bloodthirsty as the leopard, quite as mischievous as
Junkie, and much more cunning than the baboons, Booby chanced to arrive
at the gorge already mentioned just at the time when Junkie was
approaching it. There was, if you will, somewhat of a coincidence here
in regard to time, but there was no coincidence in the fact of such
characters selecting the same route, because whoever passed up or down
that kloof must needs go by the gorge.

Slowly Junkie picked his way up the ragged path towards the gnarled
tree. The leopard, scarcely believing in his good luck, licked his
lips. Rapidly the Bushman and his men descended the same path.

They rode on horses--stolen horses, of course. The leopard heard the
clatter of hoofs and looked back. Junkie drew nearer to the gnarled
tree; the leopard looked forward. Never was savage beast more
thoroughly perplexed. Anxiety glared in his eyes; exasperation grinned
in his teeth; indecision quivered in the muscles of his tail. Just at
that moment Booby caught sight of his spotted skin. Had the leopard
been less perturbed he would have been too wise to allow his carcass to
appear. A poisoned arrow instantly quivered in his flank. It acted
like a spur; with an angry growl and a clear bound of no one knows how
many feet, he re-entered the jungle and fled to the mountains.

Petrified again, Junkie remained motionless till the Bushmen robbers
rode up. Booby knew that his leopard was safe, for a poisoned arrow is
sure to kill in time, so he did not care to hasten after it just then,
but preferred to continue his approach to the white man's habitations.
Great, then, was his amazement when he all but rode over Junkie.

Amazement was quickly succeeded by alarm. His knowledge of the white
man's ways and habits told him at once the state of affairs. The
appearance of Junkie in the company of "tigers" and baboons, was, he
knew well, a mere juvenile indiscretion. He also knew that parental
instincts among white men were keen, and thence concluded that discovery
and pursuit would be immediate. His own plans were therefore not only
defeated, but his own safety much endangered, as his presence was sure
to be discovered by his tracks. "Let's be off instanter," was the
substance of Booby's communication to his brethren. The brethren
agreed, but Booby had lived among white men,