Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-03-08
A Fioht Between Bulls and an Alligator.

A very exciting and sanguinary
contest between a huge alligator and
several head of cattle oc Cured on Sat-
urday a few miles below here, on the
bank of Lake Tohopakaligo, in which
the alligator was killed and two bulls
SO badly injured that they had'to be
shot, and another was rendered al
most hors du combat. A party of
hunters were camping out on the low
er she'll mound, eight miles southeast
of here, which overlooks the lake,
though several hundred rods from the
shore, which is marshy and grassy.
Cattle gather near there by the hum
dreds, as the grass is always fresh,
and black flies, their bane on most
lake sides, are generally absent. While
eating their dinners that day the hum
tiers were startled by loud bellowings
that came from the lake, accompanied
by the well known "cry" or grunt
Of slligators. On hastily getting to
the bluff a most exciting scene was
witnessed. From the appearance of
the field it would seem that one of the
old bulls went to the shore for water,
and while he was drinking big ga
tor swan up and seized his nose. The
spectators came on the field just a mo-
ment afterwards.
The bull, big black, with pair
of magnificent sharp horns slightly
curved backward, was taken at terri
bic disadvantage, and began below
ing loudly and endeavoring to shake
off his antagonist. The gator had
secured firm hold, however, and he
chung tenaciously, churning the water
into foam with his immense tail, the
blood streaming from the bulls lace
rated nose, already dyeing the waters
red. With a mighty effort the bull
plunged backward, hauling his sat
partly on dry land, and
then the fun waxed furious. The
bull, rendered frantic from the pain,
endeavored to hook the gator, and
failing in that, he stamped at him and
plunged around madly to get rid of
his foe. Attracted by his bellowings,
two other bulls came furiously down
the side, and, seeing the gator, plunged
at him. Observing his new enemies,
the latter tried to escape, but too late.
One of them caught his horn near the
gators fore leg, and with an upward
toss tore a big hole in his side, the
saurian responding with deep roar
of anger and pain. As the other bull
came on the gator thrsshed around
with his tail and gave the animal q
terrible blow, knocking him over on
his side with terrible thump. His
first victim was now free, and the
three thoroughly Infatuated animals
their foe, Believing and
with lowered heads, presenting picket
of sharp horns which the saurian did
not like, rs he attempted to crawl into
the water. His three opponents now
began q systematic warfare.
First one would dash at him, escap-
ing the flying tail of the big reptile.
and give him q dig with his horns and
endeayor to toss hiTu. The gator was
getting weSker all the time and,
though still game. he seemed anxious
TO cry quits. One Of the bulls allow
I'd his anger 70 blind him finally, and
h he came on without his usual eau
lion the reptile turned and delivered
! sweeping blow with his tail that
saught the animals legs, breaking
hem like pipe stems. the old fellow
Ialling with 9 roar Of madness that
,onld be heard a mile, while the sau-
,ian's eyes seemed to CLEAN with tri-
amph ~ they glowed at his enemies.
Then snsned rough and tumble con-
lest which no description could do
nstice to. The bulls plunged vicious
" at him, oitentimes hitting one an
other in their mad rushes, while IN