2GO WILD SPORTS IN THE FAIl WEST. 



as I saw nothing more of the beast, though I was sure 

 that it would return, I resolved to oppose cunning to 

 cunning. A piece of a broken bough lay near ; I 

 dragged it .to the spot, and covered it carefully with 

 dried leaves then, slinging my rifle on my back, I 

 mounted a neighboring oak to await in patience, but 

 with a beating heart, the conclusion of the adventure, 

 as the panther might return at any moment. I may 

 have sat for rather more than half an hour, my eyes 

 steadfastly fixed on the place where the panther had 

 vanished, when the bough began to move, and the 

 female panther (for a female it turned out to be), 

 reappeared with two cubs, intending, no doubt, that I 

 should serve as supper for the family. This time she 

 had reckoned without her host. I remained silent and 

 motionless in the tree, watching every movement and 

 keeping the rifle in readiness. She crept stealthily to 

 within fifteen paces of the spot where she had left me 

 covered up with leaves, and crouched down with her 

 green eyes glaring upon the log; the next instant she 

 made a spring, struck the claws of both her fore feet 

 into it, and buried her sharp fangs deep in the rotten 

 wood. AVhen she found herself deceived she remained 

 for a moment or two in the same attitude, quite con- 

 founded. I did not leave her much time for con>ide ra- 

 tion ; my ball crashed through her brain, and >he fell 

 dead on her supposed prey, without a moan. 1 killed 

 the two voung ones easily enough." 



He had hardly finished the anecdote, when the dogs 

 began to bark, and, by and bv, we jumped up to >e<: 

 what was the matter. It was a neighbor, named 

 Collmar, from the other side of the hill. 1 took the 



