112 LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY. 
the ground ; and putting Horses to a gentle gallop, we 
followed the curs, guided by their voices. The noise of the 
Dogs increased, when, all of a sudden, their mode of barking 
became altered, and the squatter, urging me to push on, told 
me that the beast was treed, by which he meant that it had 
got upon some low branch of a large tree, to rest for a few 
moments, and that should we not succeed in shooting him 
when thus situated, we might expect a long chase of it. As 
we approached the spot, we all by degrees united into a body ; 
but on seeing the Dogs at the foot of a large tree, separated 
again, and galloped off to surround it. 
“Each hunter now moved with caution, holding his gun 
ready, and allowing the bridle to dangle on the neck of his 
Horse, as it advanced slowly towards the Dogs. A shot from 
one of the party was heard, on which the Cougar was seen to 
leap to the ground, and bound off with such velocity, as to 
show that he was very unwilling to stand our fire longer. The 
Dogs set off in pursuit with great eagerness, and a deafening 
cry. The hunter who had fired came up, and said that his 
ball had hit the monster, and had probably broken one of his 
fore-legs, near the shoulder, the only place at which he could 
aim. <A slight trail of blood was discovered on the ground ; 
but the curs proceeded at such a rate, that we merely noticed 
this, and put spurs to our Horses, which galloped on towards 
the centre of the swamp. One bayou was crossed, then 
another still larger and more muddy; but the Dogs were 
brushing forward, and, as the Horses began to pant at a furious 
rate, we judged it expedient to leave them, and advance on 
foot. ‘These determined hunters knew that the Cougar, being 
wounded, would shortly ascend another tree, where, in all 
probability, he would remain for a considerable time, and 
that it would be easy to follow the track of the Dogs. We 
dismounted, took off the saddles and bridles, set the bells 
