It was in January, and they were walking home through the snow after a hunt, each carrying on his back the saddle, haunches, and hide of a deer he had slain.

Just at dusk, as they were passing through a narrow ravine, the man in front heard his partner utter a sudden loud call for help.

Turning, he was dumbfounded to see the man lying on his face in the snow, with a cougar which had evidently just knocked him down standing over him, grasping the deer meat; while another cougar was galloping up to assist.

Swinging his rifle round he shot the first one in the brain, and it dropped motionless, whereat the second halted, wheeled, and bounded into the woods.

His companion was not in the least hurt or even frightened, though greatly amazed.