422 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 
where in all probability ‘he would remain for a considerable 
time, and that it would be easy to follow the track of the 
dogs. We dismounted, took off the saddles and bridles, set 
the bells attached to the horses’ necks at liberty to jingle, 
hoppled the animals, and left them to shift for themselves. 
Now, kind reader, follow the group marching through the 
swamp, crossing muddy pools, and making the best: of their 
way over fallen trees and amongst the tangled rushes that 
now and then covered acres of ground. If you are a hunter 
yourself, all this will appear nothing to you; but if crowded 
assemblies of “beauty and fashion,” or the quiet enjoyment 
of your “pleasure-grounds,” alone delight you, I must mend 
my pen before I attempt to give you an idea of the pleasure 
felt on such an expedition. 
After marching for a couple of hours, we again heard the 
dogs. Each of us pressed forward, elated at the thought 
of terminating the career of the cougar. Some of the dogs 
were heard whining, although the greater number barked 
vehemently. We felt assured that the Cougar was treed, 
and that he would rest for some time to recover from his 
fatigue. As we came up to the dogs, we discovered the 
‘ferocious animal lying across a large branch, close to the 
trunk of a cotton-wood tree. His broad breast lay towards 
us; his eyes were at one time bent on us and again on the 
dogs beneath and around him; one of his fore legs hung 
loosely by his side, and he lay crouched, with his ears 
lowered close to his head, as if he thought he might remain 
undiscovered. Three balls were fired at him, at a given 
signal, on which he sprang a few feet from the branch, and 
tumbled headlong to the ground. Attacked on all sides by 
the enraged curs, the infuriated Cougar fought with desperate 
valor; but the squatter advancing in front of the party, and 
almost in the midst of the dogs, shot him immediately behind 
and beneath the left shoulder. The Cougar writhed for a 
moment in agony, and in another lay dead. 
