"The sharp acid taste of fear hung in ray mouth. A soft breeze rustled the bone-dry, spidery undergrowth. I breathed deeply, trying to calm myself, but my heart was pumping. He remained between me and my vehicle. Did he sense I was going there? I looked around again, no rock cavity to crawl into to protect myself. I had to reach the Land Rover before something happened. My mind was fixed on the Rover: Once I got inside he couldn't hurt me. I forced myself to walk steadily and not too fast.

Everything I did now was essential to survival. I saw the silhouetted canyon entrance some three hundred feet away. Closer . I was near where the cat had jumped up the boulders-the last place I saw him. I had to be brave. The thin dirt track snaked ever nearer to the riverbed. The wind strengthened as it was funneled through the canyon's mouth. This was the moment.

Would he pounce? Focusing on the white metal patch in the near distance, I realized the canyon was getting darker . another cloud! Step by step I walked- my Via Dolorosa. A hundred feet to go. Then I heard the cough. I lost control and sprinted toward the vehicle. Did I lock its doors? Oh God!" Book jacket.