418 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



off. I then, felt that the end was near. I felt that the Cou- 

 gar was playing with me, as the cat plays with the mouse, 

 and that at any moment, when it tired of tormenting me, -I 

 would be torn to pieces. A feeling of faintness seized me. 

 I tried to take my eyes from the basaltic-green eyes that 

 were staring so cruelly into mine, with the triumph of con- 

 quering strength and satisfactory possession, but could not. 

 A sound as of rushing waters was in my ears; I reeled and 

 staggered like a drunken person, and began crying like a 

 child; I felt like one must feel when life and light are flut- 

 tering away; then I reeled and fell on the margin of the 

 prairie. But just at that instant two dark bodies went fly- 

 ing past me, there came a loud baying and a deep snarling; 

 then again came a clattering of hoofs, and then the ringing 

 and almost continuous reports of a Winchester rifle. I 

 sprung to my feet and looked toward the Cougar. It was 

 struggling in death, and growling and tearing at it were our 

 two great hounds, Lead and Jowler. Then someone spoke 

 to me; I turned, and there stood father. I fainted again, 

 fell in his arms, and knew nothing more for many days, for 

 this terrible experience was followed by an attack of brain- 

 fever." 



Mr. Charles Harmon, of Mount Vernon, Skagit County, 

 Washington, had an experience with a Cougar similar to 

 that just described. While engaged in looking for some 

 oxen that had strayed away from his logging-camp, he heard 

 a crashing in the bushes, and saw a large Cougar a little 

 distance from him, standing on a log. He uttered a loud 

 yell, thinking he would have the satisfaction of seeing the 

 Cougar rushing wildly away from him; but, to his no small 

 consternation, it came trotting swiftly toward him. It did 

 not attempt to spring upon him, but stood at his side, look- 

 ing intently at him. 



About that time he discovered that he had pressing busi- 

 ness at the camp, and started down the path that led thither. 

 The Cougar, with its easy, swinging step, kept right behind 

 him, and frequently would reach up and lick his hand. No 



