The Argosy — page 243: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

226 Trapping a Panther. 7 | There was not much to see in the village, and I did not care * explore the deserted gourbis, as the native huts are called, knowing how thickly populated they are with the species of insect scientifi- cally known as cimex vulgaris, not to speak of the less ob- noxious species. | The mosque or kouba attracted me, however, and I determin to explore it. These koubas are to be found in most native villages - in Algeria, and serve the double purpose of a place of worship, and a. shrine of the holy man (Marabout) of the district. If you imagine a church tower, cut down to about twelve feet from the ground, with — a domed roof surmounted by a small iron crescent, and the whole surface covered with a thick coating of whitewash, you have a good idea of what these buildings are like. i I wanted to see the interior, and found that the solid iron-bound— door was merely fastened from the outside with a large bolt, which - shot into the wall. The inside was not particularly interesting, and it was very musty. The shrine was opposite the door—a_ quaintly- carved wooden structure-built over the tomb. Overhead there was a. kind of wooden canopy, from which hung in a ghostly array the’ votive offerings of the faithful. Having exhausted the village I began to think of getting back. | I had climbed the wall and was sitting on the top idly enjoying the view, when I heard from the edge of the wood below a kind of | rustling noise. Thinking it might be a jackal, I dislodged one of the large stones from the wall and half rolled half threw it towards the spot where I heard the noise. 4 My curiosity was soon satisfied. There was a sound of branches breaking and out walked a panther who gazed calmly around him as if taking stock of the surroundings. He evidently saw me, for he suddenly turned tail. At first I confess I was horribly frightened ; but when the animal’ turned and fled, a reaction set in, and I felt that my prey was escaping me; so I drew my revolver and fired. From a subsequent, post mortem ‘examination, it appeared that I had slightly wounde¢ him in the near hind leg. | The animal, growling, faced round and made for me. I pride myself on my readiness of resource. The stories of travellers saving. themselves by climbing a tree in similar circumstances flashed in @ second through my mind. But where was the tree? Happy thought— the mosque ! “which was only a few yards distant. It would provea real sanctuary tome. I silently blessed the marabout, and with all speed, made for it. By means of the door, which I had left open, I scram-, bled to the roof, and pulled myself, by the help of the iron crescent, to the top of the dome, where I sat astraddle, awaiting the panthers, pleasure. 1 Not a moment too soon—a sound of stones falling told me he was negotiating the wall. Immediately after, 1 heard him walking round Gomilecwooks. col