Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-10-25
A TERRIBLE FIGHT.

large, powerful, and valuable bull, whose
general reputation for propriety was bad,
but had always acknowledged the mas
| terry of Mr.. Pond. He had been a ter
ror to the help upon the farm, and had
often hurried out of his neighbOrhood
those who had occasion to pass through
the fields where he was grazing. Mr.
Pond had frequently urged his laborers
not to run from the animal, but to show
no fear and he would not dare attack
them, but they always took the part of
discretion and got out Of his way.
One evening last week AIr. Pond fin
4 ished milking his cows in the barn yard,
and was returning to his house with a
full pail of milk, when he had to pass
by this bull He noticed that he shook
his head sullenly and looked vicious
But he passed along thinking nothing of
it. He had not proceeded far before he
heard the rapid step and low moaning
believing of the animal close by him
He turned to catch the bulls horns with
his hands so as to prevent being gored,
and was tossed into the air. He came
down, pail. milk and all upon the ami
mails head, and was again thrown into
the air, and as he fell he struck upon
the opposite side of the fence He was
somewhat bruised and his clothes torn
by the rough handling and the fall, but
being a stout, muscular man, his i'm
pulse was to chastise the insolent beast.
Accordingly he secured heavy club,
which had been a sled stake, and jump
ed over the fence into the yard. He
was met by the bull, which, with horns
poised, with head fixed and stiffened
neck, plunged at his unequal adversary
as he approached. Mr.. Pond struck
him terrific blow across his head, splin-
tering and breaking the cudgel, but
making no other impression upon his
bullship except to infuriate him.
The combat was getting fearful. The
bull dashed upon Mr.. Pond, who, with
out any means of defence, was in immi-
nent, deadly peril. He sprang aside,
caught the animal by one horn and one
ear and endeavored to keep away from
him, but was shaken about like bun
die of hay. He lost his hold, and sec
ond time was tossed high in air, and
fell beyond the fence into the adjoining
ing field. The maddened animal rush
ed at the fence, roared and beloved,
but Mr.. Pond, undismayed, determined
to master the field. He started to the
house for an Ak and would have split
open the bull head rather than be con-
quered. But on his way, he came upon
heavy three-tined pitchfork. Seizing
this, he started again across the yard.
More savage and more desperate than
before, the beast met him, but Mr. Pond
stood his ground, and as the bull ap-
preached he did not turn aside but
struck him full in the face with the
sharp tines of the fork, expecting to turn
him back by the acute pain. But he
was mistaken. The animal rushed at
him and was bearing him against the
fence, where he would have crushed him
like a dry weed. Mr. Pond saw his
peril and threw himself forward upon
the neck and horns of the animal, and
clinging to his neck, threw up his feet
so as to avoid the fence.
In this predicament he was tossed
and flung about, and the fork was thrown
from his grasp, and finally he, too, was
unseated, and fell over beside the ami.
NAL. Fortunately, in his fall, his hand
came upon the fork, which he caught,
and with full sense Of the Importance
of using his power, he thrust the strong
fork again and again into the side, flank
and neck of the bull with all the force
Of his powerful arms. The combat now
waxed hot The heavy thrusts were
quick and effective, and as the tempered
tines twanged from the tough hide Of
the bull, the blood spurted from the
deep incisions. Nerved by desperation
and pain, Mr.. Pond kept up his terri
bic warfare The animal failed in ey-
cry attempt to get him on his horns
: Into his broad sides rained lightning
shots of pointed steel. thicker, faster,
: deeper The contest grew unequal The
strong beast beloved now with pain.
He held his head down for a moment,
: roared 10 utter discomforture, aud whirl-
ing upon bis feet, ran believing down
the yard.
Mr. Pond made bis way to the house.
He vas met at the door by his wife be
was wet with perspiration. bespattered
with blood. lame and almost naked, but
50 Deryed by bis spirit that after wash
ing and resting little time, be went
again to the yard. He had determined
that there should be but Que master Oh
the premises, and notwithstanding the
entreaties Of bis wife, be did not besi-
tate to 90 on the battle ground unaided.
: He found his victory complete. The
: conquered. cOwed. humbled animal ran
!, from him like a whipped spaniel. The
: ,r;..,v,. ,.o.a,l..e .ba ,,,ctor fourd him