THE COUGAR AND LYNXES. 117 



of fowls, and the squealing of pigs. Supposing some In- 

 dians or horse-thieves were making a raid on the house, 

 I jumped out of bed and dressed as rapidly as possible; 

 but, before that simple operation was finished, the clamor 

 outside had ceased, except an occasional cackle. 



The host next appeared on the scene armed with a rifle, 

 and, giving me a loaded shot-gun, we went into the yard to 

 see what the matter was. A momentary investigation re- 

 vealed the condition of affairs ; for near the corner of the 

 yard we found the dead body of a magnificent dog, of 

 which the owner was very proud, on account of his pecul- 

 iar intelligence and affectionate disposition. He was a 

 cross between a Newfoundland and a mastiff, and inher- 

 ited the good qualities of both parents, being brave, kind, 

 arid faithful. His ribs were broken, and the abdomen torn 

 away, so that the viscera protruded. "A painter did that," 

 was the host's laconic expression ; and after a long pause, 

 as if trying to overcome his feelings, he vehemently as- 

 serted that he would have the cougar's hide before he was 

 twenty-four hours older, or know why. A further exami- 

 nation proved that the brute had carried away a young pig 

 about four months old, and had escaped by leaping a two- 

 rail fence with it. There were several other dogs in the 

 yard besides the one slain, but none had the courage, ap- 

 parently, to attack the prowler, and the result was that the 

 dead animal paid the usual forfeit of heedless bravery. 

 We were aroused at daylight the next morning by the 

 yelping of the dogs again, and, on rushing out, found that 

 they were barking at a number of Digger Indians who 

 were moving past the house toward a large piece of woods 

 half a mile away. Wtien we appeared on the scene one of 

 the men approached the fence, and taking off his nether 

 garment, the only one which he wore, except a battered, 

 crownless tall hat, or " chimney-pot," as it is known in por- 

 tions of the West, he handed it over to Mr. V , and, 



with the simple word " keep," and some pantomimic gest- 

 ures, he gave him to understand that he wished it kept 

 until it was called for. Mr. V took it grudgingly, and, 



