igo A SPORTING PARADISE 



the sleigh was at a standstill. At first I thought 

 it was a large bloodhound, and got ready my 

 long whip ; scarcely had I done so when the 

 brute sprang at me from the back of the sleigh. 

 The horses gave a start and plunge at the same 

 instant, and the cat, missing its mark, fell heavily 

 in the snow. 



The close view obtained decided me that it 

 was a young cougar escaped from some show. 

 Fortunately my large frontier revolver lay under 

 the seat, and in an instant I had fired twice at 

 my pursuer. The cougar did not appear to 

 heed me, however, but hurried on again, this 

 time springing upon my buffalo-robe. Turning 

 round quickly I discharged my weapon in its 

 face, and the brute reluctantly relaxed its hold 

 and slipped off. For half a minute I watched 

 it as it lay there apparently dead, and then 

 hastened on to procure help to bring the body 

 back. My horses needed no urging, and soon 

 they were travelling at a furious pace with the 

 white foam flying from their mouths, and the 

 crisp, frozen snow rising like diamonds from 

 the iron runners. I still held my revolver in 

 one hand and the reins in the other. Con- 

 tinually I gazed back for signs of pursuit. The 



