American Lion, and Deer-Hunting. 107 



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 con- 

 siderable time, and that it would be easy to follow the track of 

 the dogs. We dismounted, took off the saddles, set the bells 

 attached to the horses' necks at liberty to jingle, hoppled the 

 animals, and left them to shift for themselves. 



Now, Kind reader, follow the group marching through the 

 swamp, crossing muddy pools, and making the best of their way 

 over fallen trees and amongst the tangled rushes that now and 

 then covered acres of ground. If you are a hunter yourself, all 

 this will appear nothing to you ; but if crowded assemblies of 

 " beauty and fashion," or the quiet enjoyments of your " plea- 

 sure grounds," alone delight you, I must mend my pen before 

 I attempt to give you an idea of the pleasure felt on such an 

 expedition. 



After marching for a couple of hours, we again heard the 

 dogs. Each of us pressed forward, elated at the thought of ter- 

 minating the career of the cougar. Some of the dogs were heard 

 whining, although the greater number barked vehemently. We 

 felt assured that the cougar was treed, and that he would rest 

 for some time to recover from his fatigue. As we came up to 

 the dogs, we discovered the ferocious animal lying across a large 

 branch, close to the trunk of a cotton-wood tree. His broad 

 breast lay towards us ; his eyes were at one time bent on us, and 

 again on the dogs beneath and around him ; one of his fore-leo-s 

 hung loosely by his side, and he lay crouched with his ears 

 lowered close to his head, as if he thought that he might remain 

 undiscovered. Three balls were fired at him, at a given signal, 

 on which he sprang a few feet from the branch, and tumbled 

 headlong to tiie ground. Attacked on all sides by the enraged 

 curs, the infuriated cougar fought with desperate valour; but 

 the squatter advancing In front of the party, and almost in the 

 midst of the dogs, shot him immediately behind and beneath 



