So hard was this stroke that my weapon was shattered, still it did not stop the puma.

In a second I was cast to the earth with a great shock, and the brute was on me tearing and biting at my chest and neck.

It was well for me at that moment that I wore a garment of quilted cotton, otherwise I must have been ripped open, and even with this covering I was sadly torn, and to this day I bear the marks of the beast's claws upon my body.

But now when I seemed to be lost the great blow that I had struck took effect on him, for one of the points of glass had pierced to his brain.

He lifted his head, his claws contracted themselves in my flesh, then he howled like a dog in pain and fell dead upon my body.