The third was wholly different. In broad daylight a Lynx came out of the
woods near a settler's house, entered the pasture and seized a lamb. The
good wife heard the noise of the sheep rushing, and went out in time to
see the Lynx dragging the victim. She seized a stick and went for the
robber. He growled defiantly, but at the first blow of the stick he
dropped the lamb and ran. Then that plucky woman carried the lamb to the
house; finding four deep cuts in its neck she sewed them up, and after a
few days of careful nursing restored the woolly one to its mother, fully
recovered.

[Illustration]

The first two incidents illustrate the crazy ideas that some folks have
about the Lynx, and the last shows what the real character of the animal
is.

I have once or twice been followed by Lynxes, but I am sure it was
merely out of curiosity. Many times I have met them in the woods at
close range and each time they have gazed at me in a sort of mild-eyed
wonder. There was no trace of ferocity in the gaze, but rather of
innocent confidence.

The earliest meeting I ever had with a Lynx I shall remember when all
the other meetings have been dimmed by time, but I have used the
incident without embellishment in the early part of "Two Little
Savages," so shall not repeat it here.

THE SHYEST THING IN THE WOODS--MOUNTAIN LION, PUMA OR COUGAR

Reference to the official report shows that there are about one hundred
Mountain Lions now ranging the Yellowstone Park. And yet one is very
safe in believing that not twenty-five persons of those living in the
Park have ever seen one.

By way of contrast, the report gives the number of Blackbear at the
same--about one hundred--and yet every one living in the Park or passing
through, has seen scores of Bears.

Why this difference? Chiefly owing to their respective habits. The
Cougar is the most elusive, sneaking, adroit hider, and shyest thing in
the woods. I have camped for twenty-five years in its country and have
never yet seen a wild Cougar. Almost never are they found without dogs
specially trained to trail and hunt them.

Although I have never seen a Cougar at large, it is quite certain that
many a one has watched me. Yes! even in the Yellowstone Park. Remember
this, oh traveller, sitting in front of the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel!
you are in sight of two famous Cougar haunts--Mt. Evarts and Bunsen
Peak, and the chances are that, as you sit and perhaps read these lines,
a Coug