CARNIVOROUS ANIMALS OF AMERICA. 69 



the remainder for a second repast, in which respect 

 he differs from the jaguar, who is not so provident. 

 But the extreme ferocity of the Puma, even 

 against the human race, has been sufficiently proved. 

 Two hunters went forth, in quest of game, on the 

 Katskill mountains, near the road from New York to 

 Albany, each armed with a gun, and accompanied 

 by his dog. It was agreed between them, that they 

 should go, in contrary directions, round the base of 

 a hill; and that, if either discharged his piece, the 

 other should join his companion, and aid him in 

 pursuit of the game. Shortly after separating, one 

 of the comrades heard the other fire, and hastened 

 in consequence to the place from which the sound 

 proceeded; but great was his alarm, when, on reach- 

 ing the spot, and searching diligently in various 

 directions, he found the dog lying dead, and dread- 

 fully torn, as if he had been engaged in a mortal 

 fray. Apprised by this that the enemy was large 

 and ferocious, he became anxious for the fate of his 

 companion, and assiduously continued to search for 

 him, when his attention was suddenly directed by 

 a deep growl, to the branches of a large tree, 

 where he saw a Puma, crouching on his mangled 

 body, apparently hesitating whether to descend and 

 make a fresh attack on the hunter, or to relinquish 

 his prey, and take flight. Conscious how much de- 

 pended on celerity, the hunter discharged his piece, 

 and mortally wounded the ferocious creature, who 

 fell, with the body of his victim, from the tree. The 

 dog, then flew at the prostrate beast, but a single 

 blow from his paw laid him dead in a moment. 

 The hunter, finding that his unhappy friend was 



