The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-11-28
Information.


PantherH and AliSaters. ~
A hunter in the wilds of Texas, who met many
startling adventures, and saw some strange crsa-
lures, was once witness to singular battle on
the banks of lonely lagoon in the forest
He had killed black panther 1t this placs-
more in selt-defence than for game, for he was
chasing wild cattle tina: day-and leaving the
carcass, to return possibly by and by for its skin,
hurried forward on a trail which he expected
would lead to the object of his hunt.
He came back before night with the trophy of
Wild bull hide and passed the lagoon where he
had encountered and killed his dangerous assail-
ant in the morning. Savage cries and sounds Of
brutal struggle informed him, before he came to
the place, that some deadly battle was going on
among tho beasts of the forest.
He soon came in full view of the scene and a
sanguinary one it was. Four black panthers
were ferociously disputing the possession of the
carcass of the dead panther with two enormous
alligators. The objects of the combatants On
both sides appeared to be the same, viz to eat
the carcass /; and for this fought with bloody te-
nacity, Juggling at the bone of contention by way
of seeing how much had been gained.
The panthers superior in numbers, two
to one but the alligators had much the thicker
armor, and could fight with their tails as well as
their heads, SO that the battle pretty near
equal. One of the big reptiles had panther on
his back plying his flank furiously with his hind
claws, and another was holding him by the fore
leg with jaws like a tiger When he succeeded
in shaking off his savage assailants his fore leg
was broken and slit was made in his side near
" through the flesh into his entrails.
Meanwhile the alligator was making frantic
efforts to get the third panther into his mouth.
He had nearly succeeded when with tremen-
dous swing the huge tail of his fellow saurian
knocked out the panther and wedged itself firm
~ between his jaws. The teeth snapped togeth-
or like pair of copper-mill shears, and one of
the tail thrashing combatants was minus his
weapon.
The fourth panther, that had been vicously
busy with teeth and claws at the eyes and throat
of the curtailed reptile, now redoublsd his at
tacks and with the aid of two Others in front and
rear, soon disabled him. The third panther,
owing to his entrance and exit through his enc
my's jaws, was h0rs DIT s0Mlbdt with broken
back.
The fight was now between single alligator
and the three remaining cat savages. One of the
three, however, was by this time badly damaged.
Some terrific stroke had completely scalped him,
and the skin hung down by the side of his neck,
Tapping as he fought. Another, apparently, had
rib or two broken, but did not seem to mind
it. The odds in the battle were still net 50 very
great
Only the advantage of CELEBRITY was vastly on
the side of the panthers, and when the alligator,
with much difficulty, succeeded in selling one of
them, he was slow about crushing his prey,
and made SO much awkward mouthing of it,
that he put himself almost at the mercy of his
antagonist.
Still his powerful tail was Free and the cat
lilss creatures, in springng about to find his vul-
nerable points, We're not spry but they took
sonls stunning cuffs from his caudal bludgeon.
Besides, during all the combat, the amphibiana
had been working gradually towards the
water, aud now the survivor was almost to the
s4e.
Once in the lagoon and his enemies would be
powerleS. The panthers seemed to be sensible
Of this, and by an artful movement beth succeed.
Cd II getting at his throat while his mouth was
full. few seconds of vigorous Juggling and
tearing at the tender flesh made the alligator
death wounds, and he slid hopelessly into the
watu.
Two panthers survived to claim the victory
Bat they had scarce strength enough left to snuff
about the bodies of their slain. Both were mucl
the worse for wear; and the hunter levslled hi
rifle sud easily brought them down with single
shot apHce, after which he took off their hdsl
and the hides of their companions, and made his
way back to his ranch.
N IN eventful life Of moro than ten year.
subsequently to this in frontier countries, he
never saw anything in the shape of forest
- jungle fight that could compare with thit
combat between the four panthers and the two
alligators.