The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-07-12
A Narrow Escape:


'One morning." says the author of cad
ventures in Australia owheu went TO
look for my horse, he was no where 10 he
found. put my saddle on my head, and
tracked him for some miles; it was evident
the beast had been travelling away in search
OF grass. Al length, when about 10 give mp
in despair, having quite lost the track on
stony g-ound, came upon the marks quite
fresh, in a bit OF swampy ground, aud few
hundred wards further found him rolling in
The mud Of nearly dry waier-hoe, as COM
Portable as possible. | put down the saddle
and called him. AT that momeni heard a
loud roar and crash behind me, and out
rushed at terrific pace,a black bull, charg-
ing straight a. me. had only Just time to
throw myself on one side fiat on the ground
as he thundered' by me. My next move
was to scramble among clunp of trees
The bull, having missed his marx, turned
again, and first revenged himself by tossing
my saddle up in the air until, fortunately, il
lodged in some bushes; then having smelt
me out, he commenced a circuit round the
tree, stamping, paving, and believing
frightfuIIy. With his red eyes, and long,
sharp horns, he looked like demon.
was guile unarmed, having broken my
knife the day before and my pistols were
my holsters. MY only chance consisted in
dodging ronrd tie trees until he should be
Tired out. Deeply did / regret having left
my faithful dogs behind. The bull charged
again, sometimes coming with such force
against the tree that he fell of his knees:
sometimes bending the saplings behind
which stood, until his horns touched me.
There was not branch could lay hold oil
TO climb up.
How long this awfuhgame lasted know
not; it seemed hours. After The first excite
ment passed of, WEAKNESS took possession
o. me, and il required all the insticl of self
preservation to keep me on my feet. Sew
eral times tie bull lett me for few Sec
ouds, believing his malignant discomfort.
bat before could pass over 10 a better posi-
lion he always came back al foil speed -
My eyes grew hot aud misty, my knees
trembled under me, | ielI it impossible to
hold ouIlili dark. AT length grew des-
2erate, and determined 10 make a rus for
the opposite cover the moment the bull
turned to he water-hoe again. ell sure
was doomed, aud thought Of itiill grew
Indifferent. The bull seemed to know |
was worn ont and grow more fierce and
rapid in his charges: but just when I was
about 10 give up, heard the rattle of
horses hoof along The rocks above, and a
shout that sounded welcome 10 my ears
Then came The barking OF deg, aud the
loud rePor, of stock-whip; bui The bull,
with his eyes fixed on me never moved -
Up came horseman al full speed; crack
felIthe lash on the black bulls hide out
spirited tho blood in q long streak. The bull
turned savageIy 10 charge The horseman. =
The horse wheeled around Just enough to
battle bim-no more: again The lash de-
cended, cutting like long, flexible razor /;
bul the mad bull was not to be beaten off
by whip. He charged again and again
but he had mel his match. Right and left
as needed, the horse turned again. The
slockman shouted something, eaped from
his horse, and strobe forward 10 meet the
bull, with an open knife between his teeth
As the best lowered his head TO charge, he
seemed TO Catch him by the horns; there
was sirug2Ie-a cloud of dust; a stamping
like two men wrestling could not see
clearly, bul the next moment The bull was
on his back, he blood flowed from his
throat. his limbs quiversd in DEATH"