112 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



midst of the Isle of Port-Roj^al. It had struck 

 eight one morning in the house of Mr. Potter, 

 where I happened to be staying, and the neighbour- 

 hood of which was supposed to be infested by wild 

 cats. Our horses were saddled and bridled, and live 

 of us started, including the doctor of the plantation 

 and myself, with a huntsman and four bloodhounds 

 in leash, three pointers and a spaniel. In this 

 fashion we drew the wood, sometimes finding a 

 snipe, sometimes a pheasant, and as our double- 

 barrels were loaded with ball on one side, and 

 shot on the other, we were quite ready for whatever 

 turned up. 



Directly the blood-hounds were uncoupled, the 

 huntsmen came upon the body of a hare, half eaten, 

 and still fresh. He felt certain that this was the ^vork 

 of a wild cat. At the moment, the dogs hit upon 

 the scent, and, immediately afterwards, they started 

 the brute before us, as swift as an arrow, rushing 

 into a thicket which no Christian could penetrate. 

 We surrounded the thicket immediately, holding 

 our guns in readiness, and trying to make out our 

 game in the obscurity which prevailed. The cat 

 kept quiet, and woidd not break cover, although the 

 dogs did all they could to force it out. Several 

 shots were fired through the thorns without effect ; 

 until, at last, I saw a velvet body crouching along 

 tlie branch of a tree very carefull3\ I fired, and 

 down he fell ; with the help of his bowie-knife, the 



