PANTHERS, AND OUR OTHER CATS. 409 



of a large cotton-wood tree, some ten feet from its base, with 

 its striped face turned back over its shoulders, curiously 

 regarding us. It was in short point blank range, and I 

 immediately fired. It dropped out of view, and when I 

 forced my way through the thicket and reached the foot 

 of the tree, it had disappeared. There was a large hollow 

 in the foot of the tree, into which we supposed the creature 

 had fallen, for I felt sure of my aim. 



On looking down, I saw it extended along the bottom, 

 apparently dead. I was anxious to obtain its skin, and 

 accordingly, after reloading my rifle, I, by a side-way 

 movement, pushed my arm, shoulders and head with diffi- 

 culty into the narrow gap, in hope that I should be able 

 to reach and draw it out. My head had scarcely been 

 introduced' before a pair of flaming eyes looked up into 

 mine from the darkness, apparently within a few inches. 

 I, of course, struggled out as quickly as possible, under the 

 impression that the creature I supposed to have been killed 

 was only stunned. I put the muzzle of my rifle down the 

 hollow and fired, as I thought, directly between the glowing 

 eyes. When the smoke was dissipated, I ventured to look 

 in again, and there lay the same creature, as I supposed, 

 stretched, and still in the old position. 



I now determined on a second trial to draw it out. I had 

 forced in arms, shoulders and head so far as they would 

 go, when suddenly the fiery eyes made their appearance 

 again, so close to mine that they seemed almost to burn 

 them ! I scuffled desperately to extricate my person, for 

 the idea of a pair of long white claws stuck into my phiz, 

 was not the most pleasant that could be conceived. I was 

 just in time ; for, as I drew my face out, plump against it 

 came tbe heavy crush of soft fur, with a strong body behind 

 it, and I was prostrated on my back. 



I was roused from the stun and fright together, by the loud 

 guffaws of my companion, who was too much convulsed with 



