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The Wild Cat
LTHOUGH the In the winter season, when the Wild Wild Cat may be Cat ventures further abroad in search of said to avoid rather prey than in summer, the hunter sets out than to seek man, in pursuit of his game. The tracks in the and although shy snow guide him, and within the woods he of man's presence, most frequently comes face to face with yet, when brought the fierce marauder. Lithe and wary, the to bay, this animal infuriated Cat may spring on the hunter may prove itself to be any- when wounded, and may inflict injuries thing but a contemptible of a very severe nature. foe, easy to capture.
An account of such an encounter will Hunting the Wild Cat is bear quoting in part. I have occasionby no means either a safe ally, though rarely, says an author, fal or easy matter. It is a len in with these animals in the forests sport which, firstly, may and mountains of Scotland. Once, when lead its pursuer into well- grouse shooting, I came suddenly, in a nigh inaccessible and dangerous situa- rough and rocky part of the ground, upon tions, and the fury of the quarry when it a family of two old ones and three halfdiscovers itself hotly pursued, in turn, con- grown ones. In the hanging birch woods stitutes a source of danger to the hunter. that border some of the Highland streams. (23) I and rocks the Wild Cat is still not uncom- I was quite as much startled as the mon; and I have heard their wild and animal herself could be when I saw the unearthly cry echo far in the quiet night, wild-looking beast so unexpectedly rush as they answer and call to each other. I out from between my feet, with every hair do not know a more harsh and unpleasant on her body standing on end, making her cry than that of the Wild Cat, or one look twice as large as she really was. more likely to be the origin of supersti- had three small Skye terriers with me, tious fears in the mind of an ignorant who immediately gave chase, and pursued Highlander. her till she took refuge in a corner of the These animals have great skill in rocks, where, perched in a kind of recess finding their prey, and the damage they out of reach of her enemies, she stood, do to the game must be very great, owing with her hair bristled out, and spitting to the quantity of food which they re- and growling like a common cat. Havquire. When caught in a trap they fly ing no weapon with me, I laid down my without hesitation at any person who rod, cut a good-sized stick, and proceeded approaches them, not waiting to be as- to dislodge her. As soon as I was within sailed. I have heard many stories of six or seven feet of the place, she sprang their attacking and severely wounding a straight at my face over the dogs' heads. man when their escape has been cut off. Had I not struck her in mid-air as she Indeed, a Wild Cat once flew at me in the leaped at me, I should probably have got most determined manner. I was fishing some severe wound. As it was, she fell at a river in Sutherlandshire, and in pas- with her back half-broken, amongst, the sing from one pool to another had to climb dogs, who, with my assistance, despatched over some rock and broken kind of ground. her.
In doing so, I sank through some rotten I never saw an animal fight so desheather and most up to my knees, almost perately, or one which was so difficult to upon a Wild Cat who was concealed kill. If a tame Cat has nine lives, a Wild under it, and was not expecting me.
Cat must have a dozen.
