412 BIG GAME OF NOKTH AMERICA. 



shadow-like movement among the trees. He listens, then 

 watches in the direction where he saw the shadow. If he 

 should see a tawny form appear, let him fire at it instantly. 

 If the shot has been well-aimed, he will be assured of its suc- 

 cess by hearing a piercing scream, or witnessing the most 

 exuberant exhibition of ground and lofty tumbling that he 

 has ever seen. Sometimes he will also see the great Cat 

 come plunging rapidly in his direction. At one time, when 

 hunting* on the Chilliwhack River, in British Columbia, I 

 saw what I thought was a Deer, stealing away from me in 

 the bushes. Drawing a bead on the vanishing animal, I 

 fired, and instantly it changed its course and came rushing 

 at me. I saw that it was a large Cougar. The next shot 

 was more fortunate, and broke its spine, and even then it 

 dragged its body toward me on its fore legs, I then shot 

 out first one eye, and then the other. In a few moments it 

 ceased to struggle, and when I reached it I found that the 

 first shot had passed through its stomach. A wound in the 

 stomach enrages either a Bear or a Cougar. 



If the sportsman, desirous of killing a Cougar, proceeds 

 to any of the settlements in the mountain districts of Brit- 

 ish Columbia, he will not have to wait long before he has 

 the desired pleasure. Let his wish be known, and it will 

 not be long before he is notified, by some luckless rancher, 

 of a loss of some calf, colt, or sheep. Let him i^roceed to 

 the scene of slaughter, accompanied by a dog of any kind 

 that will chase a common cat. The Cougar always gorges 

 himself when he kills, and then goes to sleep. He will be 

 found near his prey, and, with little exertion and no attend- 

 ing danger, the hunter may secure the desired animal, as it 

 will take to the nearest tree on approach of the dog, who 

 by barking will notify the hunter of his quarry. 



There is no use attempting to still-hunt the Cougar, If 

 aware you are on his trail, he will keep but a short distance 

 away from you; but so noiseless are his steps, so keen his 

 sight, and so accurate is his scent, that the hunter is not 

 likely to obtain a glimpse of his royal catship. Sometimes 

 the game will circle around and follow directly in the trail 



