The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1884-04-09
A Crow Wins Two Dogs,

"Jake," acharacterin a Western town,
owns a morose and dilapidated crow, and
his crony ".Jim" was the proud possessor
of two diminutivc but spirited black-and-
tan dogs. a fierce fight which took
place one day between the crow and the
%canincs is described by a New York
7iibunc writer rs follows:
Jake brought in the crow from an up
per room. lie backed himself into a
corner, and there blinked suspiciously ut
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 ut any odds. Jake,
doubtless. felt much chagrincd that,
contrary to his f~avoritc principle of help
ing the helpless, he had brcn provoked
into proposing such Il cruel conflict.
But it was too late to retreat, and he
stoutly protested unboundcd confidence
in the fighting ability of his o. care
you ready" at length asked Jim. 'ln
a minute" was the prompt response.
"Le' me first git my birds dandcr up"
Jake stepped up to the crow and pokcd
his foot at it. The crow spread his
clipped wings and pcckcd at the boot
~viciously. Hes game said Jake,
"now I'm ready" "Sic en-. sic emf
said jim. as he placed his dogs on the
floor. The spitcful little animals rushed
at the crow as hungry inmates Of a third
rate clearinghouse swoop down on the
dining.room when the first glad note of
the dinner bell is heard.
1t looked as though it wis 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 q tender spot near the nose.
After the lapse of 4 half Il minute the
dogs drew off splitting and coughing, and
paving ut 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 lik, an old veteran
calmly awaiting another charge. 1t was
then seen that his feathers rendered him
unexpected assistance. both as a means
of ~oiTcnsc 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 dogsmadc
another rush for him, and again ne
clawcd and pcckcd while they filled theil
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 innumcrable fcath'
crs, but was not hurt in other respects.
and got in some good work ut 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 it came to the sixth
round the ardor of the dogs had mani
fcstly abatcd. 1t was a short round. Ont
of the dogs received a peck in the eye,
and retired whimpcring to a corner. The
other dog seemed to miss his companion
1t was only after repeated exhortations tt
''sic EN- that he gathered sufficient
courage to make another rush. He soor
obtained a mouthful of feathers, and thcr
beat a retreat. Evidently he was dcsir
Gus of cogitating on some other plan o
attack. He looked appcalingly at hi:
master for advice and assistance. but tina
gentleman with much energy again mere
ly adjurcd him to ''sic en-" Thu dos
was evidently of opinion that that game
was played out, and instead of rushing
wildly on the crow, as before, he APP
preached it slowly and began to bark Al
it. Then the crow, to the astonIshmen'
Of all, assumed the offensive. lie rutflet
such feathers as were left, spread hi:
wings, stretched out his neck, and hoppct
toward the dog, uttcring a succession O.
harsh ''caws.' Half denudcd of fcath
crs, us he was. he looked like some avcng
ing phantom crow, and might we'll have
smittcn terror to the heart of a larger ant
stouter dog than his assailant. The dos
barkcd with increased volubility and en-
crgy. Still the crow continued to bca
down on him. Then the dog began tt
retreat, still barking and facing the crow
until he had backed against the legs o
one of the spectators. He ignominlousl.
divcd behind them and ceased his bark
ing. The crow, without II disscntin!