FIGHT WITH A LEOPARD.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8776, 2 April 1907, Page 4

FIGHT WITH A LEOPARD.

A thrilling story of an officer’s struggle to save his wife’s life in the first instance, and. afterwards to save his own, comes from Lucknow. Lieut.-Colonel Hutchinson, of the 2nd Ghoorkas, was tho hero of the occasion. A leopard attacked his wife while on a shooting trip near Dehra Dun. They were returning after a day’s shooting and tho beaters had gone on some distance ahead. Mrs Hutchinson was walking about ten yards in front of her husband. Bho deviated slightly from the path and surprised a young leopard, which immediately attacked her. Colonel Hutchinson instantly raised his rifle to shoot tho beast, but dared not fire lor fear of wounding his wife. Thou seeing, that tho only way to save her life was to drag tho leopard off, ho dropped his rifle, and attacked tho beast with his hands. Tho leopard first attempted to seize his arm, but missed, and Colonel Hutchinson was able to keep it at bay while his wife rose and ran to call tho beaters. Meanwhile tho animal sprang again on Colonel Hutchinson, and a desperate fight between the man and the beast followed. Colonel Hutchinson eluded its spring with marvellous rapidity. He made several attempts to regain his rifle, but tho leopard was on him before he could pick it up. Thou lie thought of his revolver, and was placing his hand on his hip to draw it, when the leopard sprang on him again, and seized his right arm. Desperate as tho position was Colonel Hutchinson did not give in and, although he was suffering terrible agonies, ho grappled with the beast. They rolled over several times, the leopard still clinging to its hold on his arm. At last Colonel Hutchinson freed las arm, and succeeded in getting his revolver. Then ho shot the leopard in the eye. The animal let go its hold, but the shot had only ■blinded it. Before it, could spring on him again, Colonel Hutchinson had gained possession of his rifle, and succeeded in killing tho beast just as tho first of tho heaters came back. Colonel Hutchinson was by this time so exhausted from loss of blood and tho struggle that ho was in a state of Jcollapso. Ho was carried back to his bungalow, and Ids arm, which was terribly lacerated from tho shoulder to the wrist, was attended to. Ho is now progressing f avonrably.