46 
The Naturalist in La Plata^ 
his poncho dragged him to the earth, and would no 
doubt have quickly despatched him if a lasso, thrown 
by one of the other men, had not closed round its 
neck at this critical moment. It was quickly dragged 
off, and eventually killed. But the discomfited 
hunter did not stay to assist at the finish. He arose 
from the ground unharmed, but in a violent passion 
and blaspheming horribly, for he knew that his 
reputation, which he prizied above everything, had 
suffered a great blow, and that he would be 
mercilessly ridiculed by his associates. Getting on 
his horse he rode away by himself from the scene 
of his misadventure. Of what happened to him on 
his homeward ride there were no witnesses ; but 
his own account was as follows, and inasmuch as it 
told against his own prowess it was readily believed : 
Before riding a league, and while his bosom was 
still burning with rage, a puma started up from tlio 
long grass in his path, but made no attempt to run 
away ; it merely sat up, he said, and looked at him 
in a provokingly fearless manner. To slay this 
animal with his knife, and so revenge himself on it 
for the defeat he had just suffered, was his first 
thought. He aliglited and secured his horse by 
tying its fore feet together, then, drawing his long, 
heavy knife, rushed at the puma. Still it did not 
stir. Baising his weapon he struck Avith a force 
which would have split the animal’s skull open if 
the blow had fallen Avhere it Avas intended to fall, 
but Avith a quick movement the puma avoided it, 
and at the same time lifted a foot and Avith lightning 
rapidity dealt the aggressor a bloAV on the face, its 
unsheathed claws literally dragging doAvn the flesh 
