Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-08-30
LYNX AND HAPPY FIGHT.
A Strange Contest Seen by nm American in
Mexico.

strange contest seen ny nm American IN
Mexico.
Mr.. Ed. MAther. stewart OF the Orein-
tai Hotel, on Coney Island, was in the
City OF Mexico when President Juaren
,etasned TO the capital after the down
fall of Maximilian's Empire, as an attache
of party OF English naturalists who
were travelling through that country and
Central and South America, says the New
York Sun.
"rhe festivities celebrating the coca
sion OF the Presidents return" said Mr..
MSther, included bull fights, os course,
and most extraordinary some OF them
we're, too Our party attended the fights,
but, as exciting as they were, the best of
them WAS tame whom compared 10 one Of
the incidental numbers of the programme
of the arenio sports. That particular
number was battle, between q Mexican
lynx, one of the most ferooious OF trop-
ical bsasts, and a male harpy eagle. A
number OF these birds have been captur
"a away up in the region OF the forks of
the Rio Verde and brought to the capital
for another purpose, but some Mexican,
who hae probably seen manifestations OF
the gsmeness, pluck and power of the
harpy, suggested the lynx and eagle aght,
and It Was put on tho programme. 1t
was expected that the lynx would succeed
in quickly disps,ohing the eagle, but
fresh eagles were 20 be rittsd against the
animal until IL Was defe2toi, or the sup.
ply OF harpies ran out.
"Ths lynx WIS brought into the arena
in wooden cage on wheels. The eagle,
had already been deposited on the
ground, its wings having been clipped 10
prevent its flying away. ltstood erect on
its powerful tethersd legs, its breast
thrown forward, and i,s strong, square
head held aloft, Az il cast q defiant look
around from its glistefing eye. The
bird was AZ least three feet high, lbs
viciously curved beak and immense
spreading talons marking its equipment
as combatRut co the dreaded. helynx's
cage was brought TO within twenty feet
of where the great eagle stood. Thedoor
was then opened, and the attendant
scurried away TO safe distance,
"The lynx bounded from the cage 1t
WAS lean in hesh, its Keeper having evil
IDENTIFY enhanced the excitement of the
| Aght by adding to the lynx's natural
| ferocity, tho rage OF hunger. The
animals eyee flashed fire IA thoy fell on
tho big harry, standing so defiant in the
presence OF its antagonist. The lynx
crouchsd on the ground MS il for a
spring. The eagle did not wait for an
assault. Tho remarkable crest Of feath-
ers on its head instantly rose 20 its full
height giving TO the bird an RsPect of
threatening ferceness. Then the eagle
thrust its head forward 60 tho full
length OF ito neck, lowered 1t nearly TO
tho ground. raised ita wings foot or
more from its body, and, with TIA besk
parted, rushed uprn the lynx. The sud.
dcnRsss OF the oagles attack was o sur
prise TO the lynx, for he was still cowar-
ing when the harpy rushed upon him and
simultaneously struck him with both besk
and taloon. The lynx, with q yell of rage
and pain, sprBng upon the eagle, The
eagles harsh cries mingled With tho
ferce yells of it8 antagonist while u tore
the lyn1's flesh with it, benk, and, jump
ing ike game cock, truck fsrooly with
its talon, every blow telling on its com
Blatant, In spite OF the lattet's agility.
For ten minutes the bird dehed tho
tactics and furious counter assaults OF
the beast while the arena rang with the
oIoited yels OF the great audience. Tho
eagle was nearly denuded OF feathers.
Blood poured from the lynx in streams.
40 last ,ho lynx made desperate rush,
seized enc OF tho eagles winge ia his
red jaws, and with one mighty wrench
uulointed IL at the shoulder and tore il
from the harpy's body Although thus
crippled, the harpy's fought on, and not
until one leg was striped OF nesh and
broken so that 1t hung 90 the body by it's
cord alone, and the teeth OF the lynn had
gsshed open the nov bare throat OF the
bird. sevoting the windpipe and arteries
OF the neck, did the harpy fail to rise to
meek the Rssn nlte OF It's enemy. Even
then il turned on It's back and struck
with it's talons until II was too weak 10
raise them, and death ended tho combat.
The lynx crawled away from the torn
body OF it's foe, leaving tell OF blood.
A second eagle was NOS needed 10 com
tinue the lgh3, II had been fought 20 a
finish by both tho contestants. The lynx
crawlod to the door OF his cage where
he rolled over and died. He had been
diaem DO Reled by the herpys falcons, and
wa. nsysd from bis breast AMI shoulders
10 his nose