Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-17
Fight With a Hyena.

The hyena is cowardly and Preacher
Gus, but when enraged, the beast be.
comes brave, and his powerful laws are
"the jaws OF DEATH" At a show given
at Winchester, Va, there was a perfor.
nance not down in the "bills," being
nothing less than terrible fight be-
tween q man and q hyena. It is thus
described by the Times of that town:
The den of spotted hyenas was placed
in position. and Herr Drayton entered
as usual, to take his position as master.
The instant he made his appearance
the largest and most ferocious of the
animals made determined stand, and
refused to retire to his accustomed
place.
Drayton at once saw that something
was wrong, aud ordered the iron doors
of the cage which make separate apart
ments to be closed. and attempted to
close them himself.
Gabriel" the oldest male member
OF the hyena family, seemed to fully
understand the meaning of the move
ment. and refused to obey orders, and
at once took defiant position.
, Drayton, a man of Hsrculean
strength and iron will, the instant he
saw that there was rebellion inaugu-
rated, said to the outside attendants
Here is trouble. Send for some iron
! bars"
The men obeyed his orders, bu. be-
fore they returned, Gabriel made the
attack. and the struggle was something
terrible to witness.
The young animals seemed inclined
to befriend their master, but Gabriel
was determined to have his life. Dray ton
had nothing but common cowhide
whip, which he saw was of 10 avail,
and he gresped his terrible antagonist
by the throat, and threw him bodily to
the floor of the den. .
This for moment seemed to subdue
the animal, but for O moment only.
Regaining his feet, he waited, as it APP
peared. to consider the situation, and
with determination to die or conquer,
made desperate attack on his master.
After Gabriel recovered from the
momentary surprise at the strength of
his master, his rage was uncomfortable.
With bound, he seized Drayton.
Up to this moment, the other ami.
mails had only taken passive interes
in the struggle, but at the sight of
blood, their rage knew no bounds, and
they attacked each other, rolling and
leaping with lightning.like rapidity,
over, under and around the man and
his antagonist, snarling, bowling and
tearing unfortunately, adding greatly
to Dray tons peril.
This terrible scene continued in the
presence of the terrified spectators for
fully two minutes, Drayton, in the
meantime, with his naked hands, fight
ing the ferocious beast which had at
tackled him, and with wonderful
strength aud presence Of mind, pre-.
venting him from selling vital part
or pulling him to the floor.
In the meantime, the attendants
had not been idle, and finally, with
the aid OF crowbars and pitchforks.
succeeded in breaking the hold of the
beast: Drayton had fought his way to
the door OF the den, and the instant it
was opened, tell into the arms OF his
friends.
No ordinary man would have lived
five minutes in this terrible position.
No man without an iron will, undaunted
courage, and Herculean strength, could
ever have left the cage alive. The ex-
preston of Drayton's face as he stood
holding by the throat his terrible an
tagonist, was something never to be
forgotten. Blood was flowing in streams
from his wounds. Fear, hope and de-
termination were mingled in one ex-
pression-a noble specimen of Gods
noblest work.
Few men have passed through such
an ordeal and escaped with life.