The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-11-24

The challenger advanced from the
herd to within some four feet, getting
angrier and angrier rs he came. Sud-
denly there was q crash that had in 1t
something Homeric. One rattling on.
set OF that kind leaves one in no doubt
IS TO why the abort, strong horns Of the
buiialoes have q splintered appearance
at tho apices. Then there was n long,
steady push, in which every tendon Of
the huge bodies Of the buialoes was
strained 10 the utmost. Then there
was strategic easing OF, then sud.
den gladiatoriAl thrust, which pressed
the huge heads to the ground in an
even balance Of strength. Neither
beast dared relax o muscle or retreat an
inch, for fear Of that fatal charge upon
the flank, or that dangerous twist OF
the neck, which means defeat
A momentary rclaxatiSn Of the tire.
mendous strain only resulted in the
shaggy heads coming together again
with dull thump, and renewal Of
the logged pushing which might have
moved a freight train. It was a matter
Of lungs and endurance, and the white
froth began to drop in long, tenacious
strings from their lips, and the red
eyes to glare dimly throughyhat seemed
eiots OF blood. Icould hear the labored
breathing where l lay, and see the ten.
dons stand out across the thighs and
along the thick necls.
But this dead set Of atrength could
not last always. Eyerymoment Of time
was telling disastrously upon the shorter
wind and decaying strength Of the old
crusader, who still fought for the loves
OF his youth. His foot slipped, and
the intelligence OF this slight disasfey
seemed TO reach his antagonist quicker
than q fash Of light. No gladiator
ever urged his advantage more sudden
~. There was a huge lunge, q sound
q horus slipping upon each other, a
spring forward, and the horn Of the
younger bull had made q raking mp
ward stroke through his antagonists
flank. The fight now became brisk.
Again and again the old one turned and
tried to make the old stand OF head to
head, and as often his more active an.
tAgonist caught him behind the shout
der, With the red agony OF defeat in
his eye, and the blood triekling from
the long wounds in his TANKS, he still
refused TO be conquered. With failing
strength and limbs, which refused any
longer TO serve him, he finally stood Of
bay, with open mouth and hanging
tongue, unable to fight and disdAining
10 retreat. His antagonist pushed him,
aud be Yielded doggedly. he made no
attempt to shield his flank, and pitt.
fully endured all that came. The origi-
nal plan Of non.interierence was aban.
doned, and the young lords gathered
around him, and snorted and shook
their heads, AID gave him m occasional
dig In the ribs by way Of expressing
their contempt for him. The cows
came and snuhfed at him, and INDUCED
in spiteful feminine butts and walked
away. Their manner implied that they
had always regarded him as a disagree.
able old man, and they were Glad he
finally understood their heartfelt senH.
ments In regard to him.
Through MI this the old fellow stood
unresisting, whipped, but still obst.
nate. Gradually they all left him to
himself, and The herd wandered further
away. He did not even look around I;
he was probably forced at last to accept
his sentence Of banishment, and 60 and
live as long as lie could alone, and eight
his last fight with the coyotes and die,