The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-11-24
An Odd Combat.

Breakfast being over, OUR landlord, Mr.
Contretemps, "a Frenchman,) Mr.. Doo-
little, "a keen Yankee,) and myself, were
introduced into circular area of consld-
cradle size, surrounded by cages, con.
tanning various native animals, which,
though pronounced by the Frenchman to
be vastly inferior to the national menage-
rie, at Paris, Yas "pastres manvaise."
Mr.. Doolttle was extremely inquisitive
about the nature and habits of all the an
imals; and his curiosity was sometimes
only allayed by the pugnacious disposi-
ton manifested by its subject. Once he
seized monkey by the tail to examine it
more closely, but was glad to release it,
after receiving apretty severe bite from the
.snappish beast But his attention, as well
as Of all the other spectators, was engros-
sed by lion of terrific size and majestic
mein. A large black name overhung his
forehead, and mantled his gigantic and
muscular neck. His eyes were closed,
and his head reclined and supported by
bis forepaws that hung carelessly from the
front Of the cage, and his beautifully
smooth and tawny body reposed graceful
fy q, full length, while his tuffed tail was
occasionally moved to and flo with ex-
ouisNe grace and dignity. The keeper
and proprietor of this exhibition aroused
him from the recunbcnt posture, by blows
from an ignoble cowskin, and by pinch
ing the ear Of the royal animal, causing
him to utter such roar as cleaved the air
like thunder By frequent irritations his
rage was excited, his eyes flashed, he
lashed his sides furiously, and moved back
and forth in his narrow cell.
"There," exclaimed the keeper, sis the
unrivalled African lion; there IS not match
for him in this country, nor in Europe"
.q"Ah! if was in France calculated
Mr.. Contretemps.
"Not so'tarnal far as that neither" said
Mr.. Doolittle, with an air of thoughtful
ness; "what will you bet that wont find
something that will make him knock up-
der, ana beg for quarter?"
"Anything you have got to throw away,
two, three, four hundred dollars" was the
confident answer.
"Four ut it be then; and let the land
lord hold the stakes. If i am not on the
spot at ten o'clock tomorrow morning,
ready to do what I have promised, the
money is yours. So good bye till then"
The host held the wager, and Mr.. Doo-
little went off in high glee, canntionihg us
not to be surprised in case of Ills absence
dnr;ne the night. This notice was cf
some advantage; for had he remained alb.
sent, and that without warning, my doubts
OF his sanity and safety would have re-
,oeiyed an unpleasant confirmation.
Deprived Of him as a companion, Mr..
C. who was, in reality, a very sensible
man when conversing in his mother tongue,
which gave him to understand was not
a.dead language to me, made the hours
Az very rapidly by hislvely conversation,
III shrewd and Just observations, and his
patriotic eulogidms on his native land.
Night had set 10, but Mr.. Doolittle had
moi yet appeared; and fatigued by the ex-
ertions Of the day. we early retired to
rest, 10. "a
Il was laH when I rose, and on coming
down to breakfast ] noticed an unusual
bnstle in the bar-room, and in the pre-
6incts of the tavern. 4 The report of the
unprecedented challenge had been noised
ataoad by rnany.tongued rumor; and such,
Is the urjversal thirst fornoyelty, that ve-
hicles Of every description poured into the.
village, freighted with young and old men,
women and children, to behold combat
such as the bull fight Of Spain bad never
equaned, or the shAss Of RENE. never SUM-