American Notes THE EVERGLADES

On a dark night in the Florida Everglades four years ago, a Seminole Indian chief named James Billie shot a large wild cat, then ate the meat and kept the hide. He would have been better off if his aim had been bad. State and federal authorities said the cat was a Florida panther, protected under endangered- species laws. Since then Billie has been fighting to stay out of jail, claiming he was unaware he had shot a rare animal.

The chief has finally succeeded. Last week federal charges were dropped, and a Florida jury acquitted him outright. But Billie has requested one more court appearance. The cat's hide and skull were seized as evidence, and Billie wants them back.