American Big-Game Hunting 



them, as I knew I had made no noise. But 

 running over broken rock in one's stocking 

 feet is a very different thing from the slow, 

 deliberate movements that brought me there, 

 and besides, in a few seconds I had the mor- 

 tification of seeing my would-be victims 

 bounding across the narrow ledge that sepa- 

 rated them from the mountain. However, I 

 thought with satisfaction that at least one 

 would meet its death from my companion 

 in hiding ; but, alas ! although the rams al- 

 most knocked him down, his cartridge missed 

 fire, and the game ran safely by. 



Regaining my shoes, which was a great re- 

 lief, I soon joined my companion, and then 

 discovered the curious adventure I had been 

 made the subject of. It seems that when I 

 had reached a point well down on the prom- 

 ontory I must have disturbed a cougar, which 

 was evidently there for the same purpose I 

 was, and which had stealthily followed me as 

 I proceeded toward the sheep. Old Woody 

 described it as highly amusing I sneaking 

 down after the rams, and the panther sneak- 

 ing down upon me. As soon as the beast 

 got an opportunity, it turned off, and, making 



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