Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-09-03
A Rnll Firht on a Texas PrairIe.

very delightful, II not intellectual
amusement in the city of the Montezumas,
as well as in the dominions of Her Most
Catholic Majesty. But when one of these
exciting contests takes place in the midst
of a boundless prairie, without applauding
spectators and without the usual attendants
Of feminine grace and loveliness, and mas
culine chivalry, and accompanying display
of glittering pomp and popular clamor, 1t
loses much of its interest, except to the nc
tors Immediately concerned.
An incident Of this kind-or / might say
thrilling adventure place but a
short time since on one of the prairies OF
Texas.
was one day sauntering leisurely along
on foot in q prairie not far from the San
Bernard. Ny path wound along in q SER
pentine course, bordered on either side by
the rank prairie grass, with here and there
a clump of stunted trees, denoting some
lower OF wetter spot on the broad green
expanse.
There we're no herds of cattle near, when
suddenly up sprang from the tall grass, a
few yards before me- large brindled bull.
He began to paw the earth and exhibit un-
mistakable signs that something had dis
turbed his equanimity, or that some one of
his compeers had insulted him or outraged
his sense of propriety. Unfortunately for
me, and perhaps for him, l appeared as the
fttest object upon which to wreak his NAL
ignant passion. He had doubtless ''nursed
his wrath to keep it warm" for his demon
strations become more furious as picked
ups chance stick that lay in my way to
drive him of.
soon found, however, that his bullship
was "terribly in earnest. His attitude
became more menacing as advanced, and
was within few feet of him when he
lowered his head for the attack, and / at
tempted to draw my revolver. 1t was too
late. Before had time to use my weapon
he had sprung upon Inc and borne me to
the earth. In the shock I dropped my re-
volver. Fortunately for me, although his
horns were long and keen, they were wide
apart, and thus he had pinned me down.
his sharp horns sticking into the earth on
either side of me. | seized his horns as
the only alternative, and attempted to hold
him.
Now the struggle commenced in earnest.
His hot breath in myface almost suffocated
me- still 1 held to his horns with all my
strength, hoping that he would tire of the
contest and leave me. He commenced
dragging me further and further from my
only weapon of defence; he finally broke
loose from me and retired few steps.
was afraid to move; there he stood, lashing
his tail against his sides, paving the earth,
his red nostrils distended, his eyes glaring
like balls of fire. He looked to me the
very impersonation Of the fend of dark
ness himself He again bowed his head,
one deep, thunder-like roar came from him
and again he was upon me. AS before
his horns stuck each side Of me and pin
ned me to the earth Again l seized his
horns, and he commenced dragging me in
the direction where the contest had first
commenced. by this time was almost
exhausted The bull, too, seemed some
what fatigued. At last he broke loose from
my hold and backed off few feet
to renew the combat. l felt
that l should be unable to endure so une-
quail fight much longer looked around
and found that in the scuffie we had got
near where the first fight begun. My hat,
which had lost in the first onset, was ly-
ing near me, and fortunately but O few feet
from it lay my revolver. 1t was my last
hope for life. With all my remaining
strength sprang for and grasped my pistol
Just as the bull had gathered for another
attack. On he came, more enraged than
ever. His eyes seemed to emit sparks Of
fire as he rushed towards me.
had no time for reflection, but present
ed my revolver, and when he was within
five feet of me l fired Whether by acci-
dent or good craftsmanship, Lean scarcely
now tell, had struck him in the curl Of
the forehead; he fell forward dead bull,
and his heavy carcass in its fall nearly
crushed my right leg and almost smothered
me. With some difficulty extrieated N.Y.
self, but it was some time before was able
to stand When had so far recovered as
to crawl away, saw few hundred yards
from me lone tree, whose friendly shelter
at once sought from the rays of the now
vertical sun. When reached the tree,
there sat very composedly among its shell
tering branches negro herdsman with las
so in hand, who had been a disinterested
spectator of the unequal contest. tell
you, felt nightly like shooting that mig
ger, but he begged powerfully, and said he
'jes got up dar because he was afraid Of
dat tsrnal old bull.
Fortunately the only serious injury re-
ceived was the loss Of the new suit of sum
mer clothes torn In shreds, and the break.
ing Of my watch. Houston Telegraph. :,