THE LYIS^X. 441 



ures of camp-life, of mountain-life, of hunts on the great 

 plains or the deep forests. 



The night waned, but the screaming wind without howled 

 on in dismal, weird, and solemn discord. The snow fell 

 faster and faster. Growing cold, the veteran of the party- 

 rose and piled new logs on the fire, sending a cloud of sparks 

 np among the log rafters above. 



'^\ bad night, boys! I pity the poor unfortunate who 

 may be out in this storm."' 



Tlie howl of a Mountain Wolf rose above the roar of the 

 elements. The scream of a Panther joined in the discord, 

 rendering the night truly hideous. The scent of the game 

 that hung about the camp kept the beasts of the mountains 

 hovering around; but the glare and smoke from the cabin, 

 and the presence of their human foes, prevented them from 

 coming too near. 



The attention of the hunters being turned to the Puma, 

 Mountain Lion, or Cougar — otherwise known as Panther — 

 many thrilling and blood-curdling stories were narrated of 

 the sneaking, i^owerful cat, till the blood of the listeners 

 almost ran cold, and more than one anxious eye was uneasily 

 turned into a dark corner, or cast into the darkness without, 

 in search for possible prowlers. 



The subject next discussed was the Lynx, and him the 

 liunters proposed to hunt on the following day. Several fine 

 Cougar-skins already graced the cabin, a splendid Brown 

 Bear had been killed, a number of Deer and Mountain 

 Sheep were hung safe above the reach of the prowling 

 Wolves without, but no Lynx had yet fallen to our score. 

 Many big Lynx-tracks had l)een seen in the snow, but until 

 now no special thought had been given them. It was there- 

 fore proposed that the tw(^ following days be devoted to 

 this cowardly but powerful animal. 



A last look to rifles, knives, and cartridge-belts is taken; 

 hot coals are raked over the ground, then the same removed, 

 leaving a warm bed of earth, ujwn which the blankets are 

 spread, and three tired but expectant hunters recline their 

 weary limbs thereon. With feet to the iire, and heavy 



