132 THE PUMA, OR AMERICAN LION. 



gar, 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 attached to 

 the horses' necks at liberty to jingle, hoppled the 

 animals, and left them to shift for themselves. 



" After marching for a couple of hours, we again 

 heard the dogs. Each of us pressed forward, elated 

 at the thought of terminating the career of the cou- 

 gar. Some of the dogs were heard whining, al- 

 though 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 fero- 

 cious 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 legs hung loosely by his side ; and he 

 lay crouched, with his ears lowered close to his head, 

 as if he thought 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 the 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 th& 

 midst of the dogs, shot him immediately behind 



