"The hunters will not be far from her," said he, "and I must not be seen.

Gerard must go supperless this night." He plunged into the wood, following the buck and leopard, for that was his way home.

He had not gone far when he heard an unusual sound ahead of him--leaves rustling violently and the ground trampled.

He hurried in the direction.

He found the leopard on the buck's back, tearing him with teeth and claw, and the buck running in a circle and bounding convulsively, with the blood pouring down his hide.