The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-03-21
A Crow Whips Two Dogs.

l. "Jake," a character in a Western town,
owns a morose and dilapidated crow, and
his crony "Jim" 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
corner, and there blinked suspiciously at
the crowd. The two black-and-tans,
yclping 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 prolcsscd unbounded confidence
in the fighting ability of his crow, care
You ready?" at length asked jim. in
a minute" was the prompt response.
lie me first git my birds dander up. 5"
Jake stepped up to the crow and pokcd
his foot at it. The crow spread his
clipped wings and pecked at the boot
viciously. Hes game" said Jake,
"now I'm ready" ''Sic EN-, sic 'em -
said jim, as he placed his dogs on the
floor. The spi.eful little animals rushed
at the crow as hungry inmates of a third
rate boarding house swoop down on the
dining-room when the first glad note of
the dinner bell is heard.
1t looked as though it was all up with
the crow. lie 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
bcak, drawing blood from one of the
dogs at tender spot near the nose.
After the lapse of a half 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 Xix, an old veteran
calmly awaiting another charge. 1t was
then seen that his feathers rendered him
unexpected assistance, both as a means
of oifensc and defense. They chokcd
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 filled theiI
mouths with feathers, and then withdrew
to pick their teeth. In this way five
rounds were fought in the course OF
which the crow she'd innumerable feath
ers, but was not hurt in other respects
and got in some good work at the nose,
of the dogs. The crow was rising in pub
lie favor, and was warmly applauded, but
to these demonstrations he appeared quite
indifferent. When il came to the sixth
round the ardor of the dogs had mani
festly abated. 1t was a short round. One
of the dogs received peck in the eye
and retired whimpering to corner. Tn,
other dog seemed to miss his companion
1t was only after repeated eXhortations t
''sic EN-" that he gathered sufficien
courage to make another rush He sooi
obtained a mouthful of feathers, and thel
beat retreat. Evidently he was desir
Gus of cogitating on some other plan o
attack. lie looked appealingly at hi
master for advice and assistance, but tina
gentleman with much energy again mere
ly adjured him to ''sic EN-" The do!
was evidently of opinion that that gam
was played out, and instead OF rushin!
wildly on the crow, as before, he ap
preached it slowly and began to bark Il
it. Then the crow, to the astonishmen
of all, assumed the offensive. He rufileC
such feathers as were left, spread hi
wings, stretched out his neck, and hoppeC
toward the dog, uttering a succession o
harsh ''caws.' Half denuded of feath
, ers as he was, he looked like some aveng
, ing phantom crow, and might we'll hav
smitten terror to the heart of larger an,
stouter dog than his assailant. The do
, barked with increased volubility and en-
ergy. Still the crow continued to bea
, down on him. Then the dog began t
retreat, still barking and facing the crow
until he had backed against the legs q
one of the spectators. He ignominiousl
dived behind them and ceased his bark
| ing. The crow, without dissentin
voice, was pronounced the victor.
a The Savannah TsleJr1y1 saws that 500,