d made any
discoveries, I spied the tips of two ears peeping just above the surface
of the snow about twenty feet from me. I made a feint of not seeing
anything at all, but moved quickly in the direction of my gun, which was
leaning against a tree. Feeling, somehow, that I was about to be taken
advantage of, I snatched at the same moment my knife from my belt.

"The panther (for such it was) made a sudden and desperate spring.
I tried to dodge, but he was too quick for me. He caught me by the
shoulder with his great paw, and threw me down. Somehow, he did not
retain his hold, but made another leap and again concealed himself in
the snow. Evidently he was preparing to make a fresh attack.

"I was partially stunned and greatly confused by the blow; therefore I
should have been an easy prey for him at the moment. But when he left
me, I came to my senses; and I had been thrown near my gun! I arose and
aimed between the tips of his ears--all that was visible of him--and
fired. I saw the fresh snow fly from the spot. The panther leaped about
six feet straight up into the air, and fell motionless. I gave two good
warwhoops, because I had conquered a very formidable enemy. I sat down
on the dead body to rest, and my heart beat as if it would knock out all
my ribs. I had not been expecting any danger, and that was why I was so
taken by surprise.

"The other time was on the plains, in summer. I was accustomed to
hunting in the woods, and never before had hunted buffalo on horseback.
Being a young man, of course I was eager to do whatever other men did.
Therefore I saddled my pony for the hunt. I had a swift pony and a good
gun, but on this occasion I preferred a bow and arrows.

"It was the time of year when the buffalo go in large herds and the
bulls are vicious. But this did not trouble me at all; indeed, I thought
of nothing but the excitement and honor of the chase.

"A vast plain near the Souris river was literally covered with an
immense herd. The day was fair, and we came up with them very easily. I
had a quiver full of arrows, with a sinew-backed bow.

"My pony carried me in far ahead of all the others. I found myself in
the midst of the bulls first, for they are slow. They threw toward
me vicious glances, so I hastened my pony on to the cows. Soon I was
enveloped in a thick cloud of dust, and completely surrounded by the
herd, who were by this time in the act of fleeing, their hoofs making a
noise like thunder.