THE PUMA. 



23 



mates. For it is naturally cruel in disposition, 

 and sla3'.s when it has the opportunity, more than 

 is required for the moment's consumption. 



When pursued by the hunter with his Hounds, 

 if closely pressed, this active animal betakes it- 

 self to some lofty tree, where, snugly ensconced 

 in the fork of a large branch, generally lying 

 close to the trunk, it looks down quietly upon its 

 four-footed pursuers, that bark angrily at the 

 base of the tree, and bound against its sides in 

 their vain efforts to reach their natural enemy. 

 Even when shot and mortally wounded, so as to 

 be obliged to leave its place of refuge and to fall 

 headlong into the midst of the waiting pack, it is 

 capable of making a serious defense, and is rarely 

 dispatched before some of the Dogs are killed, its 

 terrible teeth and claws making fearful and 

 ghastly wounds. 



Such is the fierce animal portrayed in our il- 

 lustration. And now, having obtained an in- 

 sight into its habits* and mode of life, let us wit- 

 ness the manner in which the occurrence hap- 

 pened which made it necessary to bring into play 

 all the strategical power of the imperiled Deer to 

 free itself from the strength and fury of its un- 

 welcome rider. 



Walking quietly through the forest, cropping 

 the tender leaves that hang above their heads, a 

 small troop of female Deer are seeking a suitable 

 place to pass the dark hours of the coming night. 

 Unaccompanied by their armed guardians, who 

 at this season are dwelling apart in chosen lone- 

 liness, they trust for protection to their quick 

 sense of smell and hearing, as well as to their 

 powers of speed. The pure soft breeze is borne 

 to them untainted by any lurking foe, and no 

 ^hostile sound has arisen to startle their easily 

 awakened fears. 



But, at no great distance away, their greatest 



enemy is watching the unconscious Deer with 

 eyes of fire. He marks their projected course, 

 and, on velvet feet, steals softly away to the 

 overhanging branch of a lofty tree that spans 

 their chosen path, and, crouching close against 

 the limb, waits for their coming. He lies like a 

 figure carved in stone, giving no sign of life save 

 by the unconscious movement of the claws as 

 they indent the yielding bark. 



Slowly they come, those timid, graceful crea- 

 tures, ever and anon stopping to sniff the air, or 

 to catch with ample ears the sound of an enemy's 

 foot. But there is nothing that they can hear or 

 scent, and unconscious of their great peril, they 

 pass beneath the limb. Only an instant is 

 needed to gather himself together, and with all 

 his natural fierceness increased many-fold by 

 long-continued fasting, the Puma descends upon 

 the broad back of his victim. 



Paralyzed for an instant by the suddenness of 

 the shock, tlie poor Deer staggers beneath the 

 weight of the terrible beast ; then fear and the 

 consciousness of imminent danger give it renewed 

 strength, and it bounds tlirough the forest in the 

 wake of its terrified companions, with the cruel 

 rider tearing its tender flesh with both claws and 

 fangs. 



The deep growls of the Puma, accompanied by 

 the bleating of the wounded Deer, arouse the 

 other creatures of the wood, which hurry away 

 from the scene ; allsave the great Horned Owls, 

 which, disturbed from their day-slumbers in the 

 liollow of some ancient tree, follow the flying an- 

 imal in hopes of a share in any approaching 

 feast. 



Soon failing strength warns the Deer that it 

 must speedily free itself from its dangerous com- 

 panion, or else it will be obliged to succumb ; 

 and as it passes the massive trunks of the trees 



