St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-12-01

OtQ0tO IrOm tn0lf leader, ana whenever
there was = lull in the battle, he
glanced anxiously toward them. The
bear was now deeply wounded in the
shoulder. the bull wAs featfuily
mangled about the neck and the blood
flowed freely from both, while great
mouthf''ls of hair were scattered in
every direction. The bear now made
a leap for the bulls back. but was
caught between the forelegs on the
horns Of the latter and received ter.
rible wound. He was then thrown
upon his back and the bull plunged
over him, goring him the while with
its sharp horns The bear seized the
opportunity to catch his enemy In the
flank. tearing OF . great mouthful of
hide, but the bull turned and jumped
upon him with both fore feet and gave
him another wound, when the bear
caught his antagonist by the back Of
the neck and they rolled over together.
They were how in the widest state oi
excitement both suffering severe pain,
and each looked like great mass OF
animated sand and blood. They started
apart and stood within twenty feet
Of each other, painting like race horses.
The bears mouth was full of hair and
blood. and the bulls horns were red
with gore for more than half their
length. showing how deeply they had
penetrated The body of the bear.
They stood but a few MON ents apart
The bull kept glancing toward his little
family. while the bear approached him
one step at time and raised itself on
its hind legs. preparing to renew the
conflict. Icould hardly keep myself
from sending ball through the bears
worthless body. for found myself in
sympathy with the bull from the first
but was curious to see how the affair
would terminate. The battle had car
ried them closer and closer to the herd
and 4 two-year-old bull. seeing how
matters stood with his defender and
burning with the desire to test his own
strength. came upon the scene, paved
the ground, bowed his back and rushed
upon the bear with all his force. but
was repulsed with blow on the side
OF his head that turned him half way
around. His old friend was close at
hand, however, and taking advantage
OF the situation gave the bear another
goring. The young bull kept shaking
his head the while, the blow he had
received had evidently stunned him.
but he walked up Within a few yards
Of the bear, turned himself sidewise.
took a few steps. then few again at his
antagonist. plunging his horns into
its stomach and making gaping
wound that allowed part Of the entrails
to fall out. Maddened with pain
the infuriated bear caught him
by the hump with his claws. and
with his teeth tore the flesh from the
back of the young bison's neck, leav-
ing the bones bare. The little bull
roared as though implOring mercy,
while the old one again came to his
rescue and struck bruin heavy blow
in the back.
l now began to. feel sorry for the
grizzly, rs he could no longer raise
himself upon his launches. and SO /
gave the old bull shot through the
heart, just as he was making another
charge upon his fallen foe. The bear
paid no attention to the shot, but
seemed determined to have satisfaction
out of his remaining enemy. though
the young bull seemed willing to give
up the struggle and depart in peace.
taking warning, perhaps, from the fate
of his friend. Picking himself up As
best he could. bruin made another at
tack, dealing the young buffalo blow
on the top of its head which staggered
it. The bear now lay upon his back
mass Of gore. evidently dying, and the
bull had received blow from which
he could not recover. then walked
up close to them and out Of sympathy
shot the bear through the brain.
The bull was still standing. throw
ing his head up and down, the blood
pouring from his nose and ears, so l
released him from an existence which
had certainly become uncomfortable, and
saw him stagger and fall over the body
of the bear. This was the blOodiest
battle between animals have ever wit
messed. and was maintained on both
sides with equal courage and determi-
nation. The cOmbatants fought with
all the strength and ferocity Of their
savage natures. He who fights and
runs away may live to fight another
day." True. but with very few ex-
ceptions applicable to man alone. for
animals seldom possess this element Of
cowardice when contending for their
rights. or when satisfying the denaands
of appetite. l stood looking upon the
remains until my heart grew sick
within me. then mounted my faithful
pony. and was soon flying down the
valley toward the Big Horn
At nightfall l drew rein near the
spot where Fort Smith used to stand,
refreshed myself with a few m0uthfuls
of supper and turned in on my saddle
blanket for the night, under the shell
tering boughs of a large cottonwood.
The roar of the waters, the rustling Of
leaves, the cries Of coyotes and the
bowling Of wolves. robbed me Of sleep
and made me feel that the internal
regions COuld not h<a vApv far OfR
fired two or three shots In . vain at-
tempt to frighten the brutes into
silence. then built a fire and lay down
to rest. but not to sleep. ] made Fort