As we passed his house--a neat white stone building easily distinguishable among the brown mud huts--a native servant stopped us.

His master would not be back till sunset, but had left directions that we were to be well cared for till his return.
The temptation of a bed and dinner were too much, and, as time was no object, and snowy passes things of the past, we halted for the night.
An hour later, comfortably settled on Mr.G---- 's sofa, and dozing over a cigar and a volume of _Punch_, my rest was suddenly disturbed by a loud bang at the sitting-room door, which, flying open, admitted two enormous animals, which I at first took for dogs.

Both made at once for my sofa, and, while the larger one curled comfortably round my feet and quietly composed itself for sleep, the smaller, evidently of a more affectionate disposition, seated itself on the floor, and commenced licking my face and hands--an operation which, had I dared, I should strongly have resented.

But the white gleaming teeth and cruel-looking green eyes inspired me with respect, to use no stronger term; for I had by now discovered that these domestic pets were--panthers! To my great relief, Mr.G---- entered at this juncture.

"Making friends with the panthers, I see," he said pleasantly.