Presently they heard its footsteps, as it came cautiously forward, a little way at a time.  Once more the fingers coiled round the triggers, and the barrels were raised.

Then came a yelp, this time of fear, followed by the leopard’s terrible scream.  Some animal darted by the opening, so close that they could see the gleam of its eyes as it glanced in upon them, and after it with a bound went a larger form.  They listened to the dwindling noise of the chase, and Compton stirred up the fire.

“What’s up now, eh?”

“It,” said Venning, referring to the leopard, “is after something, don’t you think?”

“I hope to goodness it will have a good run, then.”

But even as he spoke the sound of the chase grew; the smaller animal flashed by again with the savage pursuer at its heels, flew round the trees, and leapt inside—­leapt in and pressed itself down behind the two of them.  With a snarl, the leopard stopped before the smouldering logs, and then sprang on to the roof, at which it struck two or three tremendous blows before bounding off again.

“Where’s my knife?” yelled Compton.

Venning felt a warm tongue on his hand, and drew it away with a cry, as if he had been stung.

“Use your knife, man.  I’m blinded.”

“All right,” gasped Venning.

“Feel for it first, or you’ll be hitting me.  Quick!  I say.”

“What is it?” cried Venning, alarmed at the sudden change in Compton’s tones from rage to alarm.

“Something’s pulling me.  It’s got its arm through the side.”

There was a sudden fierce yap and a snapping of jaws.  Compton’s shirt gave way with a tear, and outside in the dark the leopard screamed.  Inside the cry was answered by the howl of a jackal.

“It’s our jackal,” shouted Venning.

“Where—­what?”

“Here;” and Venning laughed hysterically.  “Poor old chap!” then, “Good old jacky!”

“Nonsense!” said Compton; but his band groped out in the dark, and when he felt the rough tongue, he joined in the laugh.  They were as pleased as if Mr. Hums or Muata had returned.

“Did the brute really hook you?”

“Forced his paw through,” said Compton, shuddering, “but the jackal bit him.”

The jackal’s tail thumped the ground, then they felt it stiffen, and were again on the alert.  Venning ran his fingers lightly along the jackal’s back till he reached the nose, which was pointing straight up.  Without a moment’s delay he raised his rifle and fired.

At the same moment the saplings forming the roof snapped and fell in upon them with an added weight, which knocked them flat.  They were dimly conscious of a tremendous struggle, but when they had crawled out of the litter, they were thankful to find that each was still alive.  After the first hurried words, they faced the darkness apprehensively, for their shelter was gone, and their rifles were under the branches.