American Big-Game Hunting 
them, as I knew I had made no noise. But 
running over broken rock in one’s stocking 
feet is a very different thing from the slow, 
deliberate movements that brought me there, 
and besides, in a few seconds I had the mor- 
tification of seeing my would-be victims 
bounding across the narrow ledge that sepa- 
rated them from the mountain. However, I 
thought with satisfaction that at least one 
would meet its death from my companion 
in hiding; but, alas! although the rams al- 
most knocked him down, his cartridge missed 
fire, and the game ran safely by. 
Regaining my shoes, which was a great re- 
lief, I soon joined my companion, and then 
discovered the curious adventure I had been 
made the subject of. It seems that when I 
had reached a point well down on the prom- 
ontory I must have disturbed a cougar, which 
was evidently there for the same purpose I 
was, and which had stealthily followed me as 
I proceeded toward the sheep. Old Woody 
described it as highly amusing—lI sneaking 
down after the rams, and the panther sneak- 
ing down upon me. As soon as the beast 
got an opportunity, it turned off, and, making 
98 
