The union Democrat., 1867-11-02
a Eear and BulI Combat.


elcr who was privileged to witness this excit
ing seene-I turned out, and as others were
quite rs anxious as myself for the event, break
fast was speedily dispatched, and general
run made for the platform. All being ready,
the tran doors were slowly drawn up, and out
rushed the c0mbatants. | must say, on max
ing their appearance, my sympathies were
with the bull, which seemed to be much the
nohler animal Of the two, 1.-THE and wiry, vet
withal wonderfully massive about the should
ers, he gave one the idea of splendid com.
bination Of strength and symmetry. For
brief period he stood glaring at the pickets
and people, MS head erect, his eyes flashing,
his nostrils distended, and his whole from fix
cd and rigid, rs If carved from marble. The
bear, ON the other hand, was the moro con-
epicuous for p0uderous weight and gigantic
strength, rendered more formidable by his
terrible teeth and claws. 4 sharp cut from
tho end of lasso reused the bull from his
reverie, and, as though attributing the insult
TO his enemy, he lowered his horns, gave q
deep grumbling below, scraped with his fore
feet, sending the dust and grass clean over
his back, and then charged. The bear evinced
no signs of wavering, but, standing erect on
hind legs, received the bull much in the same
way rs he might have done If it had been a
trained and gigantic prize fighter. The some
what unwiody Bruin was quick and wary.
No sooner was tho bull within reach, than
both horns were clasped in his powerful grasp
and The bulls head pressed to the ground by
main strength, he bit savagely at the nose of
his antagonist. and raked strips of flesh from
the bulls shoulders. with his hand claws,
just as cat fights when on its back.
This position was maintained for some
seconds the bull struggling furiously to free
his head--thG bear straining every muscle to
pin him TO the ground-,no appa, ent advan.
tage was gained on either side. and loud
cheers and braves were jnlulscd in by the
hackers of each 70 my mind the result of
the battio clearly depended on the mere>t
accident. As if by mutual consent, both
animals gradually ceased to struggle. and
several minutes passed away while the com.
batants, lotkcl in their deadly embrace, lay
still, hut painting rs ii nj last gasp SUddeu-
ly the bali, hr desperate Jerk WrepGhed his
head from the grasp Of b3s adversary. and re,
treated short distance, Jac bear also got up
and stood on the defensive, ready to receive
him. Al watched for the issue with breath.
less interest.
Rendered furious by pain and passion, the
bull again dashed at thc bear with such
impe.oous force that, despite the blows Bruin
dealt with MS huge feet. he was rolled over
and over in tho dust, cndeavoring. at best he
could t. defend himself against the thrusts
Of the bull Either by chance or design.
both h0r0s were pushed underneath the bear,
and, by u sudden ieIk of his head, its side
was laid opeN Us ii cut by knife. 1t was
now very evident that Ephram must soon
give up both we're grievousiy wounded. yet,
manned and CORY. they fought on with the
desperate certainty Of speedy death. The
bear. PROSTATE upon the torn turf. vainly
struck out with his feet 70 avoid the horns Of
the bull. Clearly determined to end the con.
fict, the bull drew hack, and, lowering his
head, made tremendous charge but blinded
hy the blood streaming over his forehead,
missed his aim. and fell headiong to the
ground. The bear in an instant rallied and
scrambled upon him, and twice they rolled
over locked IN this terrible death struggle.
= few minutes more and the bulls fate would
have been very soon settled when, to the
astonishment If all hands the bear suddenly
relaxed his efforts and rolled from OF the
body of his foe. Feehly dragging himself on
the turf few yards. a convulsive shudder
shook his massive frame, there was clutch
inr motion of the claws, followed by heavy
sobbinr sigh and poor Ephraim was dead.
The bull managed 10 get on his legs again;
and. raising his mutilated head, made a week
effort 10 shake 1t in triumph as loud shouts
of nraise proclaimed his victory. Could the
noor bull have understood and appreciated
those nlaudits il would have been only q brief
and Geetinr pleasure The blood streamed
in countless rivulets from his wounds; he
tried 20 stand 10 the last his legs were grad,
ually stretch wider apart his breathings
grew shcrt and conyulSive, his head slowly
dropped. Then. dropping on his hind quar-
ters and stretching himself en- the grass, he
died without struggle.