The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-04-01
TERRIFIC BATTLE OF BEASTS.

The peregrinations of showmen are
beset with numerous difficulties while
pursuing their daily avocations in this
our Southern country, which with the
usual winter rains, heavy roads, and
fording of streams, makes it very diff
cult for the managers to make good the
promises of their agents. Such was the
case with John Robinson's circus and
menagerie q few days since.
While performing at Tallahassee, Fla,
it was mentioned to Mr.. j. T. Robinson,
jr., that he might expect some difficulty
in passing through long and dismal
swamp between that place and Quincy,
on account of large number of alliga-
tors which infested the ford at this par
ticular locality, and who at this season
of the year are very fcrocious, and on
the watch for any unfortunate mule OF
horse that may become entangled in the
numerous roots, quicksands and holes,
which abound at the ford; but he re-
piled, as the agent had already made the
arrangements for him to go through,
and it was not his nature to turn back,
he had nothing left but to follow, trust
ing to his previous good fortune in get
ting thus far. The result of his deci-
sion, although anticipating some diff
Guilty, was far more serious than he sup
posed.
AT three O'Clock in the afternoon of
Thursday, January 25, Professor Lewis
Houston, who had charge of the ami
mails, started with the elephant, EN-
press, the large Bactrian camel, and the
beautiful Arabian white camel, q fine
Thoroughbred mare and colt, and two
spotted coach dogs, to make the trip to
Quincy, although warned by Mr.. j. f.
Robinson, Jr., not to attempt the pas
sage of the swamp in any other than
daylight. He, however, went through.
Before approaching the ford an occa-
sional below or roar was heard, beto-
kening that the inhabitants of the local
ity had not retired for the night, and a
sudden plunge or splash in the water
would denote that the enemy were on
the alert for mischief.
The elephant would every few steps
throw her trunk aloft, emitting at the
same time O loud screech of defiance,
the camels uttering low means, while
the horses almost refused to stir, and
stood trembling with fear, while The
dogs kept up an incessant bowling. APP
preaching the water of the ford, Hous-
ton determined upon the immediate
passage through before the alligators
had time to summon their forces.
Bidding the elephant enter, she step
ped boldly in, at the same time flashing
the water furiously with her trunk, the
camels, horses and dogs following close
in the rear. He had passed two-thirds
of the way when sharp yelp of pain
from one of the dogs and his sudden
disappearance denoted that the swamp
fiends were at work, and before he could
collect his thoughts the other dog went
under with long death howl.
He now began to think of his own
safety, and calling to the elephant COM
manded her to turn, as she did. Soon a
fearful roar was heard from the large
Bactrian camel, who had at that instant
been attacked. The water seemed alive
with alligators. The roaring, below
ing and screeching of elephant, camels
throw their ponderous jaws open and
tear huge pieces of flesh from the cam
ell, while the poor brute would utter
heart-rending means and cries for re-
lief
In the meantime the elephant was not
idle. Ever solicitous for the welfare OF
her keeper and companions, she had, al
the moment of seeing them safely land
ed upon the opposite shore, rushed back
to the assistance of her friend the CAM
ell, who, by this time, was nearly gone
and by creating the greatest furore
among her assailants, succeeded in
bringing the head of the camel to the
shore, that portion being all that re-
manned of the poor animal.
In the confusion that ensued, Houston
did not miss the colt until warned by q
shrill scream or neigh, which seemed to
come from several rods behind. Upon
rushing down the stream few yards a
terrible scene was presented to his view.
1t would seem that the deniZens of the
| Chattahoochee swamp for miles around
had become cogniZant of some extra at
traction at that particular point on this
night, and had started for the rendeZ-
vous, and upon reaching the scene OF
action had unexpectedly encountered
both food and opposition at the same
time, for simultaneous with the meet
| ing of the colt they met its pursuers
and an awful battle ensued.
Several times it seemed as if the colt
| would escape and regain the shore, sc
busy were the aliigators in destroying
each other; but just before the poor
creature would reach the land, some
| monster, more ravenous than brave
would leave the melee, pursue and drag
| it back into deep water, until finally il
| became exhausted, and fell an easy prey
to the fearful reptiles, while Prof. Hous-
ton stood looking on with blanched and
terrified looks, wholly unable to render
the least assistance, threatened with g
terrible death if he should attempt it.
AS he turned to retrace his steps to-
ward the place where he left the remain
| ing animals, he counted the cost. He
had made the passage, but at terrible
sacrifice. He had started with an ele-
plant, two camels, two dogs and two
horses. He came out with an elephant
one camel and one horse. The camel
was valued at 5000, and very rare.
The colt Mr.. Robinson had repeated
| ly refused $1,000 for. 1t will be many
long year before Houston will for
get the horrors of passing through a
Florida swamp at night.