THE WILD CAT OF MUSKOKA 191 



cougar must have been stunned, for soon it 

 appeared approaching me rapidly with extra- 

 ordinary bounds, covering the ground at a rate 

 that seemed to me miraculous. We were passing 

 along the road to Port Carling where it widens 

 sufficiently to permit two or three vehicles to 

 pass, and the moon shining down upon this broad 

 white pathway enabled me to procure a splendid 

 line of fire. I patiently waited until the brute 

 had nerved itself for another spring, and then 

 discharged my weapon once more. This time 

 my aim was successful, and as I paused on the 

 road I perceived the cougar struggling blindly 

 and tearing up the snow with its sharp claws 

 then, as though satisfied the fight was over, it 

 crawled away miserably into the thick bush as 

 if its back was broken, uttering the most 

 horrible moans I have ever heard. Satisfied that 

 I should trace the creature by the blood-stains 

 on the following day, I hurried on. 



Next morning I proceeded at an early hour 

 to the spot. There was a large patch of crimson 

 stain upon the snow, and blood-marks led me 

 to a swamp. I followed the trail for miles until 

 finally I lost it among some huge boulders of 

 rock. 



