420 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 
to these exploits the squatter added several remarkable feats 
of audacity which it had performed, to give me an idea of 
the formidable character of the beast. Delighted by his 
description, I offered to assist him in destroying the enemy, 
at which he was highly pleased, but assured me that unless 
some of his neighbors should join us with their dogs and his 
own, the attempt would prove fruitless. Soon after, mount- 
ing a horse, he went off to his neighbors, several of whom 
lived at a distance of some miles, and appointed a day of 
meeting. 
The hunters, 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 that country. A pack of large 
ugly curs were 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 
cf the distant huntsmen. We soon reached the spot, and in 
4 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 were observed diligently trailing, and bearing 
in their course for the interior of the Swamp. The rifles 
