ed from me, and fixed steadfastly upon his
intended victim. The fierce beast did not perceive my approach--perhaps
a fortunate circumstance. Once or twice I saw him pause, as if
crouching for a spring. Luckily, the old horse, making a fresh
retrogression, caused the couguar again to advance along the log, in the
same creeping attitude as before. With a glance, I had comprehended the
situation: indeed, at the first glance I understood it perfectly. My
delay in acting only arose from the necessity of preparing for action;
and that did not take long.

It was habitual with me to carry my rifle over my shoulder, or rested
across the pommel of my saddle: in either case, always in hand. It was
but the work of a moment to get the piece ready. The pressure of the
muzzle against my horse's ear, was a signal well understood; and at once
rendered him as immobile as if made of bronze. Many years of practice--
during which I had often aimed at higher game--had steeled my nerves and
straightened my sight. Both proved sufficiently true for the
destruction of the couguar. Quick after the crack, I saw his red body
roll back from the log; and, when the smoke thinned off, I could see the
animal writhing upon the ground. Why the couguar had fallen to my side,
I could not tell: for he was fairly on the ridge of the dead-wood when I
fired. Perhaps, on receiving the shot, he had fancied that it came from
the only enemy visible to him; and, by an instinct impelling him to
escape, had tumbled off in the opposite direction. I perceived that he
was not yet dead. He was still wriggling about among the branches; but
it was clear that the piece of lead had taken the "spring" out of him.
The bullet had passed through his spine, crashing the column in twain.
After playing upon him with my revolving pistol, until I had emptied
three or four of its chambers, I had the satisfaction of seeing him give
his last spasmodic "kick."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

What followed, I leave to the imagination of my reader. Suffice it to
say, that the incident proved my friend. The ice of indifference was
broken; and I was rewarded for my sleight-of-hand prowess by something
more than smiles--by words of praise that rang melodiously in my ear--
words of gratitude spoken with the free innocent naivete of childhood--
revealing, on the part of her who gave utterance to them, a truly
grateful heart.

I rode