The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-04-23
A Grow Whips Two Dogs.


'Jake, character in Western town,
owns a morose and dilapidated crow, and
his crony "Jimn was the proud possessor
of two diminutive but spirited black-and
tan dogs. A fierce fight which took
place one day between the crow and the
CANNES is described by a New York
Tribune writer as follows
Jake brought in the crow from an up
per room. He backed himself into a
corner, and there blinked suspiciously at
the crowd. The two black-and- d-tans,
yelping and eager, were with difficulty
restrained from throwing themselves on
the apparently doomed bird Nobody
would back the crow at any odds. Jake,
doubtless, felt much chagrined that,
contrary to his favorite principle of help
ing the helpless, he had bren provoked
into proposing such a cruel conflict.
But it was too late to retreat, and he
stoutly professed unbounded confidence
in the fighting ability of his crow care
you ready2" at length asked Jim. SIN
minute" was the prompt response.
lie me first git my birds dander up"
Jake stepped up to the crow and polled
his foot at it. The crow spread his
clipped wings and pecled at the boot
viciously. ''He's game" said Jake,
'now I'm ready" "Sic em, sic emp
said Jim, as he placed his dogs on the
floor. The spiteful little animals rushed
at the crow as hungry inmates of third
rate boarding house swoop down on the
dining-room when the first glad note of
the dinner bell is heard.
r. To- al I, 4,
the crow. He was thrown on his back,
and both dogs grabbed him. The crow
made no noise, but clawed vigorously,
and did some effective work with his
beak, drawing blood from one of the
dogs at tender spot near the nose.
After the lapse of half a minute the
dogs drew off splitting and coughing, and
paving at their mouths, which were full
OF feathers. With the exception of the
feathers it had lost, the crow was none
the worse for the round, and having re-
gained his feet, stood like an old veteran
calmly awaiting another charge. 1t was
then seen that his feathers rendered him
unexpected assistance, both as means
of ofense and defense. They choked
the dogs and protected the crow from
the sharp teeth. AS long as the supply
of them lasted the crow was apparently
in no great danger Soon the dogs made
another rush for him, and again he
clawed and pecked while they filed their
mouths with feathers, and then withdrew
to pick their teeth. In this way five
rounds were fought in the course of
which the crow shed innumerable feath-
ers, but was not hurt in other respects,
and got in some good work at the noses
of the dogs. The crow was rising in pub
lie favor and was warmly applauded, but
/ to these demonstrations he appeared quite
/ indifferent. When it came to the sixth
/ round the ardor of the dogs had mani
| festly abated 1t was a short round. One
of the dogs received a peck in the eye,
and retired Whimpcring to a corner. The
/ otaer dog seemed to miss his companion.
/ 1t was only after repeated eXhOrtatiOns to
"sic ''em" that he gathered sufficient
courage to make another rush, He soon
obtained a mouthful of feathers, and then
/ beat a retreat. Evidently he was desir-
/ GUS of cogitating ON some other plan OF
attack. He looked appealingly at his
master for advice and assistance, but that
/ gentleman with much energy again mere
] ~ az Jhlth lllll " HlC en-. L Nc uO9
was evidently Of opinion that that game
was played out, and instead of rushing
wildly on the crow, as before, he ap.
/ preached it slowly and began to bark al
it. Then the crow, to the astonishment
Of all, assumed the offensive lie rufled
such feathers as were left, spread his
wings, stretched out his neck, and hoped
toward the dog, uttering succession ol
harsh ''caws.' Half denuded of feath.
ers, as he was, he looked like some aveng
ing phantom crow, and might well have
smitten terror to the heart of a larger and
stouter dog than his assaiaut. The dos
barkod with increased volubility and en-
ergy. Still the crow continued to beal
down on him. Then the dog began tC
retreat, still barking and facing the crow
until he had backed against the legs o
one of the spectators He ignominously
diyed behind them and ceased his bark
ing, The crow, without a dissenting
voice, was pronounced the victor.