160 A WILD-CAT HUNT IN CAROLINA. 



cus is here ? This is a tawny, leopard-like animal, 

 while I pronounce the cat I fired at to be bigger 

 and blacker ; I saw it clearly as it rolled over in 

 the swamp at the flash of my gun." 



"My opinion, in this case, is precisely the 

 same," said the doctor. " I fired at a black cat ; 

 the dogs must have changed cats during the 

 chase !" 



" So much the better, gentlemen," said I ; " we 

 shall then have two cats, instead of one. Put on 

 the hounds, boys !" 



They were taken to the point from which the 

 doctor fired ; but the stupid animals could find no 

 trail, but that which led them again to the spot on 

 which the tawny cat lay dead ! 



" A new trial !" said the judge. 



It was granted. The dogs are now led to the 

 spot from which the judge fired. The issue is 

 fairly made ; but the canine jury return the same 

 verdict. 



" Confusion 1" says the judge; "must I doubt my 

 own eyes ?" 



The sequel shows, that it is safer to doubt our 

 own senses, than the instinct of a hound ; and that 

 his inferences from the nose, are less fallible than 

 those from human sight ; for the cat, being duly 

 subjected to apost-mortem examination, was found 



