156 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 



The nest on the tree, and the burrow in the ground 

 are alike invaded ; while the poultrj-yard of the farmer, 

 and his sheepfold, are drawn on liberally, to supply the 

 cat with food. It hunts down the rabbit, coon, and pos- 

 sum, and springs from the elevated bough upon the bird 

 perched beneath, catching in its mouth its victim; and 

 will do this while descending like an arrow in speed, 

 and with the softness of a feather to the ground. 

 Nothing can exceed its beauty of motion when in pur- 

 suit of game, or sporting in play. No leap seems too 

 formidable — no attitude ungraceful. It runs — flies — 

 leaps — skips — and is at ease, in an instant of time ; 

 every hair of its body seems redolent with life. 



Its disposition is untamable; it seems insensible 

 to kindness ; a mere m^ss of ill-nature, having no sym- 

 pathies with any, not even of its own kind. It is for 

 this reason, no doubt, that it is so recklessly pursued ; 

 its paw being, like the hand of the Ishmaelite, against 

 every man ; and it most indubitably follows, that every 

 man's dogs, sticks, and guns, are against it. The 

 hounds themselves, that hunt equally well the cat and 

 the fox, pursue the former with a clamorous joy, and 

 kill it with a zest which they do not display when finish- 

 ing off a fine run after Reynard. In fact, as an animal 

 of sport, the cat in many respects is preferable to the 

 fox ; its trail is always warmer, and it shows more sa- 

 gacity in eluding its enemies. 



In Louisiana the sportsman starts out in the morn- 



