THE PUMA, OR AMERICAN LION. 129 



charged his piece, and wounded the animal mortal- 

 ly, when it and the body of the man fell together 

 from the tree. The surviving dog then flew at the 

 prostrate beast ; but a single blow from his paw laid 

 him dead by his side. In this state of things, find- 

 ing that his comrade was dead, and that there was 

 still danger in approaching the wounded animal, he 

 retired, and, with all haste, brought several persons 

 to the spot, where the unfortunate hunter and both 

 the dogs were lying dead together *." 



In the north, they are hunted like the lion in Af- 

 rica, with a mingled band of squatters, dogs, and 

 horses. The following sketch, from Audubon, of a 

 hunt in the more inland recesses, seems drawn with 

 characteristic truth. In the course of one of his 

 rambles, he came to the cabin of a squatter, on the 

 banks of the Cold- Water River ; and, after a hospi- 

 table reception, and an evening spent in mutually 

 detailing their adventures in the chase, it was agreed, 

 in the morning, to hunt the painter, which had of 

 late been making sad ravages among the squatter's 

 herd of hogs. " The hunters accordingly made their 

 appearance, just as the sun was emerging from be- 

 neath the horizon. They were five in number, and 

 fully equipped for the chase, being mounted on 

 horses, which, in some parts of Europe, might ap- 

 pear sorry nags ; but which, in strength, speed, and 

 bottom, are better fitted for pursuing a cougar or a 

 bear through woods and morasses, than any in that 

 " Griffith's Cuvier, ii. 438. 



