NATURAL HISTORY OP THE BLOOD-HOUND. 
n 
even the two Dogs he took with him were more as companions than from any idea 
he entertained that their services would he called into requisition. Had he 
'expected danger, it was not on them he would have relied, but on the noble 
animal whose courage and fidelity he had so often proved, and who was now left 
at home. 
The day passed over without any remarkable encounter, and Mr. A. was on his 
return home, his game-bag laden with feathered spoil, and a fine buck suspended 
from a projecting branch of a marked tree, awaiting the morning’s sun till a slave 
should be sent for it. He had now nearly reached the out-skirts of the wood, 
when he suddenly perceived in the thicket, on one side of the path through which 
he must pass, two small faint and twinkling lights, like that of a pair of Glow¬ 
worms ; his practised eye instantly informed him that this appearance proceeded 
from nothing but the malevolent eyes of a wild beast—whether Cougar, Puma, 
Jaguar, he hesitated not to determine; one thing was certain, retreat was fatal, 
and to advance was apparently equally so. Now for a bold shot, a steady hand, 
and a cool sight, and you may yet be saved! Take care, sir, take care! The 
sportsman’s first action is to throw the barrel of his piece, unfortunately only a 
smooth bore, across his left arm, the thumb of his right hand cautiously and 
noiselessly cocks the gun, and the fourth finger of the same hand feels the trigger. 
Mr. A. steadily advanced; he was not suffered to remain long in suspense; he 
had proceeded but three paces when with a terrific cry the Cougar (for such it 
was) sprung from its lair and dashed upon him. He fired, but apparently with¬ 
out effect; where were now his hounds ? They had fled at the first glimpse of 
the furious beast, and rent the woods with their cowardly wailings! He struck 
indeed a few blows with the but end of his piece, but the robber of the forest 
was too nimble for him; a momentary struggle and he was upon his back. The 
ferocious Cougar was standing or rather crouching over him; one paw was upon 
his broad chest, and each protruded talon, penetrating his clothes and flesh, caused 
a stream of blood to trickle down his side; the other paw grasped his skull, and 
he felt as if each claw penetrated to his brain ; his senses reeled, and his blood 
suffused his eyes and nearly blinded him; still, however, this heroic American 
fainted not, nor ceased struggling manfully for the victory. His vigorous arms 
were extended, and his hands grasped the monster’s throat, thus keeping him for 
a time from bringing into play those rapacious jaws, which, as the hunter’s 
strength declined, were gradually advancing into a closer proximity with his face ; 
Such a fearful struggle could not be of long continuance. The burning eyeballs 
of the Cougar glared nearer, and more near still, as they looked into the bloodshot 
orbits of the prostrate but still fearless victim; their owner was forced to turn 
them aside from the encounter, as if conscious of the dastardly nature of his 
attack, and the superior bravery though inferior strength of the man upon whom 
