Agile and powerful though the great cat was, the sharp hoofs trampled him down.

Taken at a disadvantage, just at the moment when his first spring had spent itself, he was no match for the protector of the herd.

No bone could resist the impact of those heavy terrible hoofs.

No skull was thick enough to save.

The cougar squealed, clawed, and bit wildly, but in an incredibly quick space he was trampled to death and lay quite still.