The Puma, or Lion of America. 45 



they invariably make playful, affectionate pets, and 

 are gentle towards all human beings, but very 

 seldom overcome their instinctive animosity towards 

 the dog. 



One of the very few authentic instances I have 

 met with of this animal defending itself against a 

 human being was related to me at a place on the 

 pampas called Saladillo. At the time of my visit 

 there jaguars and pumas were very abundant and 

 extremely destructive to the cattle and horses. 

 Sheep it had not yet been considered worth while 

 to introduce, but immense herds of pigs were kept 

 at every estancia, these animals being able to pro- 

 tect themselves. One gaucho had so repeatedly 

 distinguished himself by his boldness and dexterity 

 in killing jaguars that he was by general consent 

 made the leader of every tiger-hunt. One day the 

 comandante of the district got twelve or fourteen 

 men together, the tiger-slayer among them, and 

 started in search of a jaguar which had been seen 

 that morning in the neighbourhood of his estancia. 

 The animal was eventually found and surrounded, 

 and as it was crouching among some clumps of tall 

 pampas grass, where throwing a lasso over its neck 

 would be a somewhat difficult and dangerous opera- 

 tion, all gave way to the famous hunter, who at 

 once uncoiled his lasso and proceeded in a leisurely 

 manner to form the loop. While thus engaged he 

 made the mistake of allowing his horse, which had 

 grown restive, to turn aside from the hunted animal. 

 The jaguar, instantly taking advantage of the over- 

 sight, burst from its cover and sprang first on to the 

 haunches of the horse, then seizing the hunter by 



