At last Jones found the right shell, just as the cougar reached for him.

Major, the leader of the hounds, darted bravely in, and grasped the leg of the beast just in the nick of time.

This enabled Jones to take aim and fire at close range, which ended the fight.

Upon examination, it was discovered the cougar had been half-blinded by the fine shot, which accounted for the ineffectual attempts he had made to catch Jones.
The mountain lion rarely attacks a human being for the purpose of eating.

When hungry he will often follow the tracks of people, and under favorable circumstances may ambush them.