Roche and Gabriel were
bear-hunting, while I, feeling tired, had remained in a rancho, where,
for a few days, we had had some amusement; in the afternoon, I felt an
inclination to eat some fish, and being told that at three or four miles
below, there was a creek full of fine basses, I went away with my rifle,
hooks, and line. I soon found the spot, and was seeking for some birds
or squirrels, whose flesh I could use as bait. As, rifle in hand, I
walked, watching the branches of the trees along the stream, I felt
something scratching my leggings and moccasins; I looked down, and
perceived a small panther-cub frisking and frolicking around my feet,
inviting me to play with it. It was a beautiful little creature,
scarcely bigger than a common cat. I sat down, put my rifle across my
knees, and for some minutes caressed it, as I would have done an
ordinary kitten; it became very familiar, and I was just thinking of
taking it with me, when I heard behind me a loud and well-known roar,
and, as the little thing left me, over my head bounded a dark heavy
body. It was a full-grown panther, the mother of the cub. I had never
thought of her.
I rose immediately. The beast having missed the leap, had fallen twelve
feet before me. It crouched, sweeping the earth with its long tail, and
looking fiercely at me.
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