JAGUAR. 
5 
great ease. Col. Hays had killed four Jaguars during his stay in Texas. 
These animals are known in that country by the Americans as the “ Leopard,” 
and by the Mexicans as the “ Mexican tiger.” When lying in wait at or 
near the watering-places of deer or horses, this savage beast exhibits great 
patience and perseverance, remaining for hours crouched down, with head 
depressed, and still as death. But when some luckless animal approaches, 
its eyes seem to dilate, its hair bristles up, its tail is gently waved back 
wards and forwards, and all its powerful limbs appear to quiver with 
excitement. The unsuspecting creature draws near the dangerous spot ; 
suddenly, with a tremendous leap, the Jaguar pounces on him, and with 
the fury of an incarnate fiend fastens upon his neck with his terrible teeth, 
whilst his formidable claws are struck deep into his back and flanks. The 
poor victim writhes and plunges with fright and pain, and makes violent 
efforts to shake off the foe, but in a few moments is unable longer to 
struggle, and yields with a last despairing cry to his fate. The Jaguar 
begins to devour him while yet alive, and growls and roars over his prey 
until his hunger is appeased. When he has finished his meal, he sometimes 
covers the remains of the carcass with sticks, grass, weeds, or earth, if 
not disturbed, so as to conceal it from other predacious animals and vul- 
tures, until he is ready for another banquet. The Jaguar often lies 
down to guard his prey, after devouring as much as he can. On one 
occasion a small party of Rangers came across one while feeding upon a 
mustang. The animal was surrounded by eight or ten hungry wolves, 
which dared not interfere or approach too near “the presence.” The 
Rangers gave chase to the Jaguar, on which the wolves set up a howl or 
cry like a pack of hounds, and joined in the hunt, which ended before they 
had gone many yards, the Jaguar being shot down as he ran, upon which 
the wolves went back to the carcass of the horse and finished him. 
The Jaguar has been known to follow a man for a long time. Colonel 
Hays, whilst alone on a scouting expedition, was followed by one of these 
animals for a considerable distance. The colonel, who was aware that his 
footsteps were scented by the animal, having observed him on his trail 
a little in his rear, had proceeded a good way, and thought that the 
Jaguar had left, when, having entered a thicker part of the wood, he 
heard a stick crack, and being in an Indian country, “whirled round,” 
expecting to face a Wakoe ; but instead of a red-skin, he saw the Jaguar, 
about half-crouched, looking “ right in his eye,” and gently waving his tail. 
The colonel, although he wished not to discharge his gun, being in the 
neighborhood of Indians who might hear the report, now thought it high 
time to shoot, so he fired, and killed him in his tracks. “ The skin,” as 
he informed us, “ was so beautiful, it was a pleasure to look at it.” 
