The young hunters now contemplated them from a different point of view.

They were suffering where they stood, so fearfully, that there seemed no danger beyond that hot circle of fire-- not even from the claws of a cougar! "I shall stand it no longer," cried Basil.

"We'll be roasted outright.
You, brothers, take that one, I'll aim at this--so--now--fear not-- fire!" As Basil ceased speaking, the three cracks sounded almost together; and, as soon as they had fired, all three leaped out of the blazing cordon.
Whether Lucien and Francois had missed their aim was not known until afterwards; but Basil had not missed his.

He had wounded the cougar; and scarcely had the young hunters got clear of the fiery circle, when the infuriated animal sprang into it, and was seen, now upon its feet, and now rolling over the ground in the throes of death.

Marengo attacked it; but both got among the red cinders, and the dog was fain to make his escape out again.