The Nevada Democrat., 1862-06-26
aerada 2eltlOtrat.
Battle Between the Lion aud Gorilla.

excessively warm aUu our party exceeding.
ly thirsty, four Of our attendants were sent
out 10 different directions in pursuit of wa
ter, while the rest OF The party we're to re
main where they then were ill their return
or till reasonable time for their return
had expired.
In a bout an hour one of the scouts came
in aud reported the discovery of a spring Of
water. One by one the other three return.
ed, not having met with a similar success.
and we all started in the direction iudicat
I'd by The guide. Asw approached the
spot we were all startled by the appearance
Of a huge lion, evidently intent upon the
same errand as ourselves.
Fearing an attack. our little party hRsti
y sought refuge among the branches Of a
large tree near at baud. From our posi-.
ton we could now see the spring, situated
10 the center of little valley, and the lion
as he forced passage through the under
brush towards il.
Al this moment our attention was called
10 an opposite direction, by the appearance
Of huge. brown creature. much rescInb
ling human being in its formation aud
movements. Some times it walked erect
aud sometimes il was down, seemingly on
all fouts. the former position being main.
tanned only while the creature was max
ing its way through the thlcket Of the un-
derbrush.
The gorilla! the gorilla!" whispered the
Prince, clutching at my elbow. for we were
standing side by side on the same limb.
The two beasts were approaching the
spring from opposite directions; and II was
evident from their now cautious move
ments that each understood the strength
and ierocity OF his opponent.
We now noticed for the first time that
the gorilla was armed with heavy club,
which he employed to steady himself with
while moving 10 aa upright position. Whe.
ther either Of them bad seen us, we of
course had no meaDs of knowing. At all
events, they were now too much bent npon
efFccting defeat aud chastisement TO each
other, TO pay any attention to us.
The lion was creeping slowly and eau
tiOusly forward, az though in the act OF
springing upon his adversary, while the
gorilla, instead Of reirenling. still advanc
ed his head bent forWard. and bis long.
white tushes glislening In the sun. He was
hdeous looking brdte; every expression
Of the dabolical face denoting ferocily and
cunning. lie was evidently prepared for
the assault Of the lion, aud determined TO
make up in strategy what be might lack 10
strength.
Our little party watched their movements
with the deepest interest, only hoping that
the conflict might end IN the destruction Of
both.
The combatants had now approached
within twenty feet of each other, separated
only by the spring. The lion had crouch.
ed down, and the gorilla stood erect, though
slightly bent forward. The eyes Of both
beasts protruded from their heads, bOding
the direst mischief 10 each other. Sudden
ly the head OF the lion dropped between his
huge paws, and the next moment he made
a flying leap at his adversary. With the
rapidity Of lightning the gorilla leaned
aside, and at the same instant dealt the
lion q terrific blow over the head. This
prompt and energetic reception seemed to
stagger the king of beasts for moment;
but be soon recovered, and giving vent to
a terrific roar. prepared TO renew the at
tack. When be sprang the second time, II
was with the force OF q cannon ball cleaVs
ing the air, but bis movements we're not 80
quick but the gorilla anticipated them, and
springing ten feet In the air. came down on
the lions back with the agility Of mon
key. Then rained the blows from his club
thicker than hail, till the king Of beasts
qualed beneath them, and fairly beloved
with pain. But the gorilla still clung TO
bis name, and still repeated the terrific
blows about the head and ears Of his ad-
versary, till you might have supposed his
skull had been beaten to jelly. The lion
roared aud tore up the earth in bis blind
vengeance, while the gorilla yelled and
screeched 10 hideOus triumph, still raining
down bis remOTseless blows.
We now saw that the victory must be
decided sooner or later, in favor Of the
more intelligent Of the brutes; nor was II
long before the lion commenced an inglOri-
ous retreat, with bis supple adversary still
clinging to bis back, and still screecning 10
bis ears.
This scene was continued for about thir-
ty rods, when The gorilla leaped of like
circus rider, dealing tremendous blow
over the lions bead at parting; and the
discomhted beast ran believing off to hide
his defeat and shame in a jungle.
It was not twenty rods from US where the
closiug scene we have described was enact
ed, aud as the gorilla turned his bideous
visage full upon as, we could see triumph
written as plainly therein as If the features