As Compton looked, the boy's eyes opened, and his head turned as if he had heard some noise.
Compton's distress left him.

A feeling of great thankfulness swept over him when he saw that he was not too late, that his friend lived; and with firm nerves he stepped clear of the tree to shoot.
The movement caught the notice of the leopard.

It had crouched down as Venning turned, but now it lifted its round head to view the new- comer.

With a low growl it made a sudden leap forward, covering an incredible distance, which brought it nearer to Compton, and as it gathered itself together he fired, then sprang aside.

There was a rush through the air, a thud, and a tearing noise.