The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-01-27

|
reached the top of the rock he was in
plain sight. He was tearing at the neck
of the PROSTATE fawn. 1 was about tC
move little further up the ledge in order
to get shot at the lions fore parts,
when large grizzly burst out of a patch
of chaparral on the opposidc side of the
little valley With a snort and a growl
he made at the lion.
The new arrival rendered the situation
somewhat complicated, and 1 lowered my
rifle. concluding to await further develop
mentS.
When the bear came up the lion re-
treated a few PAGES, and then stood snarl-
ing and lashing its sides with an angry
tail The bear--which was evidently very
hungry--paid no attention to the lion,
but at once began gnawing at the neck
of the fawn.
supposed this was the end of the af-
fair between the two animals, and was
beginning to thing Of putting a bullet or
two into the grizzly. This might have
safely done from my perch upon the rock,
and with two or three trees at hand which
I could easily climb should the bear at
! tempt to scale the ledge But while 1
was still considering the chances OBJ
served the lion f1attcn itself to the ground
and swiftly glide round behind the bear.
Suddcnly-like flash of yellow light
ning--thc lion bounded through the air
and landed on the back of the bears neck,
raking him over the face and eyes with
its sharp claws.
The bear gave snort Of pain and rage,
stopped eating, and for a time stood
or rather sat upon the defensive. While
the bear was thus on guard, ready to
strike out with his huge paws, the lion
stood off snarling and lashing its sides
with it's tail but the moment he attempt
cd to resume his meal the lion quickly
circlcd about and again landed on his
back bounding away, however, as soon
as the bear began striking at him. The
fight had now become so interesting that
determined to await the result. The at
tacks of the lion were evidently far from
painless to the bear. He bawled Justify
under the sharp claws of his agile enemy.
He soon grew cautions, and. hungry as
he was, endcavorcd to keep his head con-
stantly turned toward the lion. This
the clumsy beast was unable to do, as the
lion circled about him very swiftly, and
crept 50 low as to be continually ready
for a spring. Beside, while the bear
was turning in one direction his more
nimble antagonist would suddenly whirl
about, circle in the opposite way, and
make his leap; and at each leap he made
the fur fly at a lively rate.
When the bear stopped eating and stood
on his guard the lion stood Oft and
snarled, but the moment he put his nose
to the fawn his alert foe was upon him.
Finally the bear gave up trying to eat,
and lay down by the carcass, twisting
himself into such position that he had
the use of both of his paws.
Had the lion then leaped upon the bear
he would have found himself in death
hug. The battle now seemed to be
sort of tie or draw. Neither animal could
touch the prize over which they were
contending.
Matters were at this pass for nearly five
minutes, when the lion elevated his head
and gave two or three shrill screams. A
fierce answering cry came from across the
main canon, and soon another lion came
bounding up the ravine into the little
valley. The bear noted this accession to
the force Of the enemy, and arose and
seated himself upon his launches in box
ing attitude. The two lions then began
circling about the bear, by turns dart
ing upon him. raking him with their
claws, and then bounding away. 1t re-
minded me of two cat-birds prosecuting
an owl.
Presently, while the bear was wheeling
about to strike at one Of the lions, the
other made a rush and dragged away the
carcass of the fawn. He was hauling it
off toward the bottom of the big canon,
some fifty yards away, before the bear
had recovered from his surprise. Even
when he comprehcndcd what had hap
pened the bear did not dare to at once 60
to recover the carcass. as the lion that re-
mained behind still circlcd around him,
crouching cat-like. and threatening to
spring.
In a short time, however, this lion also
left and went down into the canon, the
bottom of which I could not see from my
perch on the ledge. The bear looked
thoroughly beaten and, as thought. not
little ashamed Of himself. He shifted
about the ground where the carcass OF
the fawn had lain for time; then, ele-
waiting his nose, snuffcd the air in the
direction of the canon, whittier the two
lions had gone with the prize. This prize
he had held just long enough to fairly
arouse his appetite. :.
After snuffing the air and licking his
chops for time the old fellow moved
slowly toward the canon. He did not
advance as if he were going to awake the
battle anew Both spirit and flesh seemed
weak. When within about twenty yards
of the bottom of the canon he sauntered
out upon point of rock, sat upon his
launches and looked down toward where
the two lions were fcasting.
There on the rock he sat for so long
time-twisting about on his launches,
snuffing the air and licking his chops
that became satisfied that he would not
renew the contest. AS he sat there,
wrinkling and twisting his nose, the
mark he offered me was too tempting to
be resisted; beside, he was liable at any
moment to drop down upon all fours and
make off. 1 lcvcled my rifle for his heart.
and at it's crack the great beast pitched
headlong into the canyon and rolled to
the bottom, causing Il great crashing OF
chaparral and carrying with him about
cart load of loose rocks.