tter view, and gazed over the tops of
the trees. Guided by the voices of the birds, I soon discovered the
scene of the commotion.

At some distance off, I saw both jays and cardinals fluttering among the
branches, evidently busy with something on the ground beneath them. At
the same time I heard strange noises, far louder than the voices of the
birds, but could not tell what was causing them. My spirits sank, for I
knew they could not be produced either by my comrades or the steed.

It was not far, and I determined to satisfy myself as to what was
causing such a commotion in this hitherto silent place. I rode towards
the spot, as fast as my horse could make way through the bushes. I was
soon satisfied.

Coming out on the edge of a little glade, I became spectator to a
singular scene--a battle between the red cougar and a band of javali.

The fierce little boars were "ringing" the panther, who was fighting
desperately in their midst. Several of them lay upon the ground, struck
senseless or dead, by the strong paws of the huge cat; but the others,
nothing daunted, had completely surrounded their enemy, and were
bounding upon him with open mouths; and wounding him with their sharp
shining tusks.

The scene aroused my hunter instincts; and suddenly unslinging my rifle,
I set my eye to the sights. I had no hesitation about the selection of
my mark--the panther, by all means--and drawing trigger, I sent my
bullet through the creature's skull, that stretched him out in the midst
of his assailants.

Three seconds had not elapsed, before I had reason to regret the choice
I had made of a victim. I should have let the cougar alone, and either
held my fire, or directed it upon one of his urchin-like enemies; for
the moment he was _hors de combat_, his assailants became mine--
transferring their "surround" to my horse and myself, with all the
savage fierceness they had just exhibited towards the panther!

I had no means of punishing the ungrateful brutes. They had not given
me time to reload my rifle before commencing their attack, and my
pistols were both empty. My horse, startled by the unexpected assault,
as well as by the strange creatures that were making it, snorted and
plunged wildly over the ground; but go where he would, a score of the
ferocious brutes followed, springing up against his thighs, and scoring
his shanks with their terrible tusks. Well for me I was able to keep
the saddle; had I been thrown f