HUNTING A COUGAR. 333 



description, I offered to assist him in destroying the enemy ; at 

 which he was highly pleased, but assured me that unless some 

 of his neighbours should join us with their dogs and his own, 

 the attempt would prove fruitless. Soon after, mounting a 

 horse, he went off to his neighbours, several of whom lived at a 

 distance of some miles, and appointed a day of meeting. The 

 himters accordingly made their appearance one fine morning 

 at the door of the cabin, just as the sun was emerging from 

 beneath the horizon. They were five in number, and fully 

 equipped for the chase, being mounted on horses, which in some 

 parts of Europe might appear sorry nags, but which in strength, 

 speed, and bottom, are better fitted for pursuing a cougar or a 

 bear through woods and morasses than any in their country. 

 A pack of large ugly curs was already engaged in making 

 acquaintance with those of the squatter. He and myself mounted 

 his two best horses, whilst his sons were bestriding others of 

 inferior quality. Few words were uttered by the party until 

 we had reached the edge of the swamp, where it was agreed 

 that all should disperse, and seek for the fresh track of the 

 ' painter,' it being previously settled that the discoverer should 

 blow his horn, and remain on the spot until the rest should 

 join him. In less than an hour the sound of the horn was 

 clearly heard, and sticking close to the squatter, off we went 

 through the thick woods, guided only by the now-and-then 

 repeated call of the distant huntsman. We soon reached the 

 spot, and in a short time the rest of the party came up. The 

 best dog was sent forward to track the cougar, and in a few 

 moments the whole pack was observed diligently trailing and 

 bearing in their course for the interior of the swamp. The 

 rifles were immediately put in trim, and the party followed the 

 dogs at separate distances, but in sight of each other, determined 

 to shoot at no other game than the panther. 



" The dogs soon began to mouth, and suddenly quickened 

 their pace. My companions concluded that the beast was on 

 the ground, and putting our horses to a gentle gallop, we 

 followed the curs, guided by their voices. The noise of the 

 dogs increased, when all of a sudden their mode of barking 

 became altered, and the squatter urging me to push on, told me 

 that the beast was treed, by which he meant, that it had got 



