The Puma, or Lion of America. 45 
they invariably make playful, affectionate pets, and 
are gentle towards all human beings, but very 
seldom overcome their instinctive animosity towards 
the dog. 
One of the very few authentic instances I have 
met with of this animal defending itself against a 
human being was related to me at a place on the 
pampas called Saladillo. At the time of my visit 
there jaguars and prmas were very abundant and 
extremely destructive to the cattle and horses. 
Sheep it had not yet been considered worth while 
to introduce, but immense herds of pigs were kept 
at every estancia, these animals being able to pro- 
tect themselves. One gaucho had so repeatedly 
distinguished himself by his boldness and dexterity 
in killing jaguars that he was by general consent 
made the leader of every tiger-hunt. One day the 
comandante of the district got twelve or fourteen 
men together, the tiger-slayer among them, and 
started in search of a jaguar which had been seen 
that morning in the neighbourhood of his estancia. 
The animal was eventually found and surrounded, 
and as it was crouching among some clumps of tall 
pampas grass, where throwing a lasso over its neck 
would be a somewhat difficult and dangerous opera- 
tion, all gave way to the famous hunter, who at 
once uncoiled his lasso and proceeded in a leisurely 
manner to form the loop. While thus engaged he 
made the mistake of allowing his horse, which had 
erown restive, to turn aside from the hunted animal. 
The jaguar, instantly taking advantage of the over- 
sight, burst from its cover and sprang first on to the 
hauuches of the horse, then seizing the hunter by 
