The Puma 273 



acquaintance, rubbed up against him, had his head 

 scratched with much complacency, and graciously ate as 

 much as he could hold. Thus we made friends, and the 

 compact was ever after kept by both parties, each in his 

 own way. 



The panther's way was a very simple one. It consisted 

 in looking to the being he had come in contact with for 

 everything he wanted, and resolutely refusing to enter 

 into intimate communications with any one else. Nobody 

 who knew him could say that the least feeling of affec- 

 tion ever warmed his heart, but it was plain enough that 

 while he contemned the human race, one man was toler- 

 ated, and a distinction made between him and all others. 

 Some individuals he detested at first sight, and resented 

 the slightest approach to familiarity. For the remainder 

 he entertained a quiet contempt ; but as for fearing them, 

 nothing was further from his thoughts. So far as that 

 went, it is very doubtful whether he ever felt any real 

 dread of his guardian. Some feeling akin to respect may 

 have existed in his mind. His powers of observation were 

 keen and quick, he saw that this particular person differed 

 in appearance from those about him, acted differently, 

 and was somehow or other not the same as they. If he 

 got into difficulties, and was likely to suffer the conse- 

 quences of misconduct, hostilities against him ceased when 

 his friend appeared upon the scene ; he understood this 

 perfectly, and took refuge with him when danger threat- 

 ened. As was said, Gato had no affectionate impulses so 

 far as could be certainly known. When he wanted to be 

 stroked, or was hungry, or wished to play, or felt insecure. 



