"Wonder what it can be ?" "Looks a little like a big wildcat," said Roger.
"I know what it is," answered Dave, after all were certain the beast was dead and they had dragged it over to the fire.

"It's a cougar, or mountain lion,--one of the worst wild beasts to be found in the West." "Then it's no wonder I got scared when first I saw it," said Phil.

"My, what a powerful animal! And it must weigh fifty or sixty pounds." "All of that, Phil." "Is this the beast some call a panther or painter ?" asked Roger.
"Yes, Roger.

I was reading about them in a natural history, and the cougar, mountain lion, puma, panther, and painter are all the same beast.

Years ago they were common all over the United States, but now they are to be found only in the Far West and in the South.