296 THRILLING ADVENTURES. 



statement made by the boys respecting the size of this un- 

 known creature. 



" Tnere is an animal in the deep recesses of our forests, 

 evidently belonging to the feline race, which, on account of 

 its ferocity, is significantly called 'Indian Devil' in the 

 Indian language, ' the Lunk Soos ;' a terror to the Indians, 

 and the only animal in New England of which they stand in 

 dread. You may speak of the moose, the bear, and even the 

 wolf, and the red man is ready for the chase and the encounter. 

 But name the object of his dread, and he will significantly 

 shake his head, while he exclaims, 4 He all one debil !' 



" An individual by the name of Smith met with the follow- 

 ing adventure in an encounter with one of these animals on the 

 Arromueto, while on his way to join a crew engaged in 

 timber-making in the woods. 



" He had nearly reached the place of encampment, when 

 he came suddenly upon one of these ferocious animals. There 

 was no chance for retreat, neither had he time for reflection 

 on the best method of defence or escape. As he had no 

 arms or other weapons of defence, the first impulse, in this 

 truly fearful position, unfortunately, perhaps, was to spring 

 into a small tree near by ; but he had scarcely ascended his 

 length when the desperate creature, probably rendered still 

 more fierce by the promptings of hunger, sprang upon and 

 seized him by the heel. Smith, however, after having his 

 foot badly bitten, disengaged it from the shoe, which was 

 firmly clinched in the creature's teeth, and let him drop. The 

 moment he was disengaged, Smith sprang for a more secure 

 position, and the animal at the same time leaped to another 

 large tree, about ten feet distant, up which he ascended to 

 an elevation equal to that of his victim, from which he threw 

 himself upon him, firmly fixing his teeth in the calf of his 

 leg. Hanging suspended thus until the flesh, insufficient to 

 sustain the weight, gave way, he dropped again to the ground, 

 carrying a portion of flesh in his mouth. Having greedily 



