420 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTEES. 



to these exploits the squatter added several remarkable feats 

 of audacity which it had performed, to give me an idea of 

 the formidable character of the beast. Delighted by his 

 description, I offered to assist him in destroying the enemy, 

 at which he was highly pleased, but assured me that unless 

 some of his neighbors should join us with their dogs and his 

 own, the attempt would prove fruitless. Soon after, mount- 

 ing a horse, he went off to his neighbors, several of whom 

 lived at a distance of some miles, and appointed a day of 

 meeting. 



The hunters, accordingly, made their appearance, one fine 

 morning, at the door of the cabin, just as the sun was 

 emerging from beneath the horizon. They were five in 

 number, and fully equipped for the chase, being mounted 

 on horses, which in some parts of Europe might appear 

 sorry nags, but which in strength, speed and bottom, are 

 better fitted for pursuing a cougar or a bear through woods 

 and morasses than any in that country. A pack of large 

 ugly curs were already engaged in making acquaintance 

 with those of the squatter. He and myself mounted his two 

 best horses, whilst his sons were bestriding others of inferior 

 quality. 



Few words were uttered by the party until we had reached 

 the edge of the Swamp, where it was agreed that all should 

 disperse and seek for the fresh track of the Painter, it being 

 previously settled that the discoverer should blow his horn, 

 and remain on the spot, until the rest should join him. In 

 less than an hour, the sound of the horn was clearly heard, 

 and, sticking close to the squatter, off we went through the 

 thick woods, guided only by the now and then repeated call 

 of the distant huntsmen. We soon reached the spot, and in 

 a short time the rest of the party came up. The best dog 

 was sent forward to track the Cougar, and in a few moments, 

 the whole pack were observed diligently trailing, and bearing 

 in their course for the interior of the Swamp. The rifles 



