402 THE ADVENTURES OF 



We were crossing another glade, when Gringalet sudden- 

 ly rushed between our legs. On looking back, I saw the 

 puma slyly following us. 



" Well, upon my word !" said Sumichrast ; " does this 

 fellow want to prove that a cougar will attack a man ?" 



L'Encuerado, who had put down his load, was already 

 aiming at the animal. 



" Don't shoot !" I cried, authoritatively. 



The puma did not advance any farther, but glared at us 

 with its yellow eyes, its tail lashing its sides with a meas- 

 ured movement, while it displayed a formidable row of 

 tusks. Suddenly it stretched itself along the ground, as if 

 about to play. Lucien was now able to examine leisurely 

 the beautiful tawny color of its coat. It surveyed us with 

 such a quiet, gentle aspect, that it seemed as if it belonged 

 to our party, even pushing its confidence so far as to begin 

 its toilet by first licking its paws, and then rubbing them 

 over its muzzle. 



I gave the word for continuing our journey. L'Encue- 

 rado obeyed very reluctantly. After this rencontre I placed 

 Lucien, who congratulated himself upon having had such a 

 near view of the beautiful animal, in the middle of the 

 party. 



" If we don't eat the lion, it will eat us," said the Indian. 

 " If we had only wounded it, it would have gone and told 

 all its companions that it was any thing but prudent to go 

 too close to our fire." 



" Well, if it comes near us again, I give you leave to 

 shoot it." 



" You do ? it's a bargain !" cried L'Encuerado. " Stop 

 a minute, Tata Sumichrast ; cock your gun, Chanito ; you 

 shall have the first shot." 



We stood together in a group, and I looked in vain for 

 the cougar. 



