The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-11-24
Vol. vi.


of the appointed time, the stake holder,
Monsieur and l, proceeded to the field OF
intended battle, followed by the curious and
gaping multitude. station was assign
ed us near the cage, and large space
defended by posts and ropes for the con-
venience Of all parties concerned. The
keeper was enjoying himself at the ex-
pense of the "crazy Yankee" as he call
ed him, and scouting the idea of the pos
sible fulflment of his promise.
"The fellow" said he, "has got more
money than he knows what to do with;
pshaw! Nero has not tasted food for
twenty hours, and is as savage as wolf.
What time is it, landlordP
"It wants five minutes of ten," was the
reply.
1t is impossible to describe or conceive
the intenset interest that thrilled through
the crowd as the fatal moment drew near.
Every breath was stilled, and curiosity
forgot the numerous animals around to
gaze wholly on the lion. He stood erect,
slowly shaking his head and bulky name,
as raising them with closed eyes, he utter
ed plaintive howl, that by degrees, sub
sided into a rough, sepulchral groan.
ga half minute of time!" exclaimed
the landlord.
"Hallo there" shouted voice without,
81 did not bargain to pay the toll when |
came back" said Mr.. Doolittle, bursting
past the door-keeper, rushed through the
throng and Ieaping the barriers, stood in
the midst, just as the landlord uttered
"Ten!' He was covered with mud and
sweat, and his garments were torn-he
wore no hat, but under his arm held
handkerchief, apparently containing some
thing within it. The keeper looked at him
with an air of triumph, as he said to him:
81 knew you would lose as well as knew
that ten O'Clock would come; four hundred
dollars is not suoh bad wind fall, not to
speak of the rapid business we have done
to-day"
"Stop that everlasting tongue of yours;
don't crow before morning, as the farmer
said to the rooster: as you say, four hum
cred dollars is not so bad. Did not tell
you that | would find master for your
growler yonder, and by buttons! | would
have ught him myself for want Of bet
ter, but to fight with dumb beasts is good
enough for those that are like them"
"Oh, lie sauvage" said Monsieur.
eyes, would have pounded his hide at
a steamboat rate, tell ye; but there's no
occasion for all that trouble just now, so
ht us by mister-but stay, we VIII have
the judges first"
Accordingly. two respectable farmers
were associated with myself as umpires Of
the contest, and having declared our read
mess to begin, we begged Mr.szach to
procure his combatant.
"That is easily done now, although /
had an everlasting bother to get the cree
t,lre," said he, as he slowly anfolded the
handkerchief, and produced a common
land tortoise!
.sPho!" said one.
"The man is crazy!" exclaimed the vii
lage doctor.
The keeper smiled and looked greedily
towards the stakes.
"Oh, wait a second, observed Zach,
while he cautiously thrust his companion
under the grating Of the lions cage, and
then drew back to watch the progress OF
the operation. The lion had laid down,
with his back towards the tortoise, and he
looked carelessly over his shoulders, as
much as if he would have said, "you are
not eatable." Soon, however, as if con-
scious of the contempt of the huge beast,
the tortoise opened his house with short
sharp hiss, but as quickly closed it, for the
lion started at the sound, and turned round
upon his opposite side. He then rose,
snuffed at, and walked round it several
times, without discerning any signs of life;
and presently, as If in sportive humor, laid
its paw on its back, drawing it back and
forth. He then settled himselfin couch
ant position and commenced game of
football, throwing the tortoise from side to
side, as boy tosses ball from one hand
to the other, and appearing highly de-
lighted with his amusement. The object
Of this disrespectful treatment remained as
quiet and apparently as lifeless as stone,
and the spectators began to tire of what
they now conceived to be a concerted
hoax,to draw their patronage. Suddenly
Don Lion changed his plan, and once
more snuffed about the tortoise, then ex-
tending his long rough tongue, he began
to lick it as cat does her young kittens,
atone tiMe,above at another below, when
in an instant and to the unspeakable as.
tonishment of all present but one, the ton
que Of lion was seen to be encumbered |
with the whole weight of the tortoise; the
cunning reptile had silently opened the
crevice of his shell, and in an unguarded
moment, entrapped the end of the lions
tongue in its vice-like grasp. Inyain did
he endeavor to extricate himself; he stait
ed back, shook his head violently, and
even applied his paws to force the enemy
from his hold. But every moment served
only to increase his agony in part SO
exquisitely sensitive, and render the gripe
still tighter than before. He lay down,
and tumbled with the intensity of suffer-