Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-12-21
Correspondence.

Courts CHRISTI. Nov. 25th, Il.
Nh EDITOR Perhaps the readers
OF the Ellsworth .iB,ericdn would like
10 hear AN account of an adventure
with a Wild bullock. which have ex-
pcrienccd since have been here this
time in the Grace Il. West. oc >urry.
We were lying at anchor abou,
twenty miles below the city. and during
storm We saw several cattle drifting
past Ms in the water. having evident
~ been swept away while attempting
70 cross the river above. After long
struggling IN the current one succeed
Ell IA getting landed on a small low
Island near u. the Island being lust
atovc the sal, water and entirely dcs,i-
tutc "t any sustcnancc. | thought he
coali not long survive. nor could he
bc taken OF alive: 50 after seeing him
wander about the Island for several
DAYS IN search Of water or food. de-
tcrmined out of pity FOR his suiFering.,
and love for his meat. 10 20 ana Kill
him. would land On the Island. first
shoot him, and then drag him into the
water, tow HIM along side and take
him on board and dress hm the plan
seemed easy ami practical accord
ngly, with FIVE men, proceeded 10 the
Island anticipating but little difficulty.
as Supposed him already weak and
incapable Of much resistance, bu, the
moment We landed and began TO ap-
proach hlm he ~ once displayed a
| spirit of antagonism and strength far
beyond our expectations.
He turned directly facing US, his head
high raised, and with paving the earth
and brandishing his Tremendous horns.
he convinced US that there was fight
still len in him. But As We slowly
| heAtA NhN HaaNt NiIcic Hc NsAs ettul-
ing he suddenly turned and ran across
the Island and stopped in the shallow
water few rods from the shore. At
this We took courage and followed as
fast as we could /; here he again assumed
a defensive attitude my companions
not liking the look of the beast here
halted, while proceeded alone with
my rifle. had got within near gun
shot and was abou: leyeiing my gun
for shot, when be with furious
spring was coming upon me with al
his speed, unquestionably bent upon
mischief.
saw at once that TO attempt re.
treat would be hopeless numbered with
my heavy wading boots, and the mud
and water being about one foot deep
my reason told me | could not run sc
| determined TO stand, reserying my
charge for a sure fire at close quarters
when hoped the ball or blaze of til,
gun would arrest him. On he came
and with horns extended at least foul
feet, furiously surging his heavy head
from side TO side, he look ed indeed ,
formidable adversary.
had heard that when attacked b,
the wild bulls on the praries, the onl,
chance of escape was an untlinchins
stand. A moment more and but thirt,
feet separated us; with steady aim be
tween his ewes | fired. 1t seemed the
ball had missed for he made not the
slightest change in his onward move
ment. Here is a fact for the materialis
10 consider, namely, that there is nc
reason in the legs. for while there re
manned not the slightest hope for safet,
in flight. unbeknown to me they tooL
my body and made the blundering at
tempt TO bear it away from the infuri
atcd bull, and that, at perhaps ten feet
advantage TO start with Suddenly
recovering myself l wheeled and deall
a blow with all my strength as neal
the knocking down place as under the
excitement of the case could discern
The conclusion of the blow and the
heavy advance of the bull hurled mt
backward beneath his feet; he leapet
directly over me scrambled up, my
boots filled with water, my clothes and
my besd covered with mud, and my
gun bent several inches and filled will
mud then to be greeted by my com
panions with rounds of uprOarOu'
laughter as has seldom been my lot t.
endure, and that too before they knew
whether l had been nearly killed o.
otherwise. And when looked at my
self in such plight, the bull having