A PRECARIOUS ASYLUM. 331 



membered to have often heard it said that these ferocious 

 animals preferred human flesh to every other, and I 

 trembled lest the panther should have a very keen 

 appetite for this kind of " game." But how rid myself 

 of his dangerous neighbourhood 1 To send him a bullet 

 was undoubtedly the surest means ; but the report would 

 attract the Indians, and I feared the Redskins more than 

 I did panthers. I thought that, all circumstances con- 

 sidered, the best thing I could do was to return to my 

 tree, and place myself as high up in its branches as I 

 conveniently could, so that I might not be attacked from 

 above, but should always have the " upper hand " of my 

 antagonists. To think, in this case, was to act ; and in 

 less time than it takes me to write these words I was 

 perched on one of the loftiest boughs of the oak, and 

 completely hidden among the foliage. 



To speak the truth, the panther's vicinity disturbed 

 me excessively. The animal might at any time detect 

 me, and force me to a life-and-death struggle: it was 

 imperative that I should get rid of him; but first I 

 resorted to "gentle measures." I selected a deer-shot 

 from the bag which I carried at my belt, and hurled it 

 at the animal; it struck the leaves just above his head. 

 The surprised panther made a movement, and raised his 

 eyes ; but so little suspected my presence that he never 

 even looked in my direction. I took another bullet, and 

 repeated my manoeuvre. Again I hit the branch ; the 

 animal turned round quickly, looking on every side but, 

 happily, the one where I was seated. A third projectile 

 struck his snout : at this last affront he was much 

 annoyed, watched the bullet as it fell to the ground, then 

 quitted his station, descended the tree, and went away, 



