FIGHT FOR HIS WIFE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 30 March 1907, Page 4

FIGHT FOR HIS WIFE.

OFFICER'S STRUGGLE WITH A LEOPARD. Lucknow, January 15. Lieut.-Colonel Hutchinson, of the 2nd Ghurkas, had a thrilling fight with a leopard, which attacked his wife while on a shooting trip near Dehra Dun. They were returning after a day's shooting ,and the beaters had gone on some distance ahead. Mrs Hutchinson was walking about ten yards in front of her" husband. She deviated slightly from the path, and surprised a young leopard, which immediately attacked her.

Colonel Hutchinson instantly raised his rifle to shoot the beast, but dared not fire for fear of wounding his wife. Then, seeing that the only way to save her life was to drag the leopard off, he dopped his rifle, and attacked the beast with his hands. The 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 the beaters. Meanwhile the animal again sprang on Colonel Hutchinson, and a desperate fight between the man and the beast followed.

Colonel Hutchinson eluded its springs with marvellous agility. He made several attempts to regain his rifle, but the leopard was on him before he could pick it up. Then he 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 aarm. Desperate as the position was, Colonel Hutchinson did not give in. and, although he. was suffering terrible agonies, he grappled with the beast. They rolled over several times, the leopard still clinging to its hold on his arm. At last Colonel Hutchinson freed his arm, and succeeded in getting his revolver. Then he 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 agan, Colonel Hutchinson had gained pessession of his rifle, and succeeded in killing the beast just as the first of the beaters came back. Colonel Hutchinson was by this time so exhausted from the loss of blood, and the struggle, that he was in a state of collapse. He was carried back to his bungalow, and his arm, which was terribly Ulcerated from the shoulder to the wrist, was attended to.