The marten was now animated by rage as well as by the desire to capture its foe.  It again sprang up, ran along the boughs of the fallen tree, and advanced once more towards the porcupine; but its courage and agility did not avail it.  Another blow from that formidable tail cast it once more into the snow; while the porcupine looked down with contempt on its defeated antagonist.  Reuben, taking good aim with his rifle, put the marten out of misery; while I killed the victorious porcupine.  The dogs then rushed forward; but Snap, the most eager, had reason to repent his eagerness, as before we could keep him off the animal he had received several sharp quills in his jaws.  These we immediately extracted, but he never again attempted to seize either a living or a dead porcupine.