Nevertheless he made another try at the jumping.
Ned saw, however, that he did not do as well as before.

He never came within six inches of the deer now.

At last he lay flat again on the ground and panted, staying there a full five minutes.

When he got up he made one final and futile jump, and then sneaked away, exhausted and ashamed.
"Now, Ned," said Obed, "since the comedy is over I think we can safely go to sleep." "Especially as we know our deer is safe," said Ned.
Both slept soundly throughout the remainder of the night.

Toward morning the cougar came back and looked longingly at the body of the deer hanging from the bough of the tree.