THE PUMA. 
153 
^ heard a loud sudden noise, between a bark 
a roar : he felt something heavy strike 
^is 
feet, and, instantly jumping up, he saw, to 
astonishment, a large lion [as the puma is 
^’^'’oneously called in South America] actually 
^'■anding on his poncho ; and perhaps the 
?*^>'Tial was equally astonished to find himself 
the immediate presence of so athletic a 
^an. The man told me he was unwilling to 
as his gun was loaded with very small 
j. ^t ; he therefore remained motionless, the 
standing on his poncho for many seconds : 
last the creature turned his head, and, walk- 
§ Very slowly away about ten yards, he 
^^Pped and turned again. The man still 
^ aintained his ground, upon which the lion 
'^^tly acknowledged his supremacy, and walk- 
H off.” 
^ 'file puma has been frequently tamed, 
^ara has left some interesting particulars of 
® fondness shown by one which belonged to 
