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 bum 

 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 the 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 



