The Opelousas courier., 1888-11-17
A GREAT BATTLE.
an Alligator Attacks Three Say
age Bulls.
TWO of The Bulls Killed Before
the Saurian Succumbs.

n JGCSHG lSthCE HUH htSSiNlLuCC, Il Ia ,
to the Globe-Dsmocrat says: A very
exciting and saaguinary contest be-
tween a huge bull alligator and several
head of cattle occurred Saturday, a few
miles below here, on the bank of Lake
Tohopakaligo, in which the alligator
was killed, aad two bulls so badly in
jured that they had to be shot, and
another was rendered almost hors de
combat. A party of huaters, several of
them visitors from the Tropical Hotel
here, were camping out on
the lower shell mound. eight miles
southeast of here, which over
looks the lake though sew
cral hundred rods from the shore, which
is marshy and grassy. Cattle gather
near there by the hundreds, as the
grass Is always fresh, and black flies,
their bane on most lake sides, generally
absent. Whils eating their dinner
that day the hunters were startled by
loud bellowings that came from the
lake accompanied by the we'll known
''cry' or grunt of alllgators. On hastily
getting to the bluff a most exciting
scene was witnessed. From the appear
ance of the field it would seem that one
of the old bulls went to the shore, for
water, and as he was drinking a big
gator swan up and seized his nose.
The spectators came on the field just q
| moment afterward.
The bull, a big black, with a pair Of
magnificent sharp horns slightly %curving
backward, was taken at terrible disad-
vantage, and began believing loudly
aud ~endeavoring to shake off his an
tagonist. The gator had secured a firm
hold, however, and he chung tenacious
~, churning the water into foam with
his immense tail, the blood streaming
from the bulls lacerated nose already
dying the waters red. With a mighty
effort the bull plunged backward, haul
ing his attachment" partially on dry
land, and then the fun waved furious.
The bull, rendered frantic from the
pam. endeavored to hook the gator,
and. failing in that, stamped at him and
plunged around madly to get rid of his
foe. Attracted by the belIowings, two
other bulls came ~furiously down the
side. and, seeing the gator plunged at
him. Observing his new enemfsgs, the
latter tried TO escape, but too late.
One of them caught his horn near the
gators fore leg, and wi4 an upward
toss tore a big hole in his Side, the saur-
ian responding with a deep roar of an.
ger aud pain. As the other bull came on
the gator thrashed around with his
tail and gave the animal a terrible blow
knocking him over on his side with a
dull thump. His first victim was nov
free and the three thoroughly infuriated
animals surrounded their foe, below.
ing and with lowered heads, presenting
q picket of sharp horns which the saur.
ian didn't like as he attempted to crawl
into the water. His three opponents
now began a systematic warfare.
FIRST one would dash at him, escap-
ing the flying tail of the big reptile, and
give him a dig with his horns and en-.
deavor to toss him. The gator was
getting weaker all the while, and,
though still game, he seemed anxious to
cry quits. One OF the Eulls allowed
his anger to blind him finally, and as he
came on without his usual caution the
reptile whirled and delivered a sweep
ing blow with his tail that caught the
animals legs. breaking them like pipe
stems. the old fellow falling with q roar
of madness that could have been heard
q mile. while the saurian's eyes seemed
to CLEAN with triumph as they glowered
at his enemies. Then ensned a rough
and-tumble contest which no description
could do justice to The bulls plunged
~yiciously at him, ofsentimes hitting one
another in their mad rushes, while the
alligator swept his big tail around in
endless circles and inflicted terrible
whacks on their sides and legs. For
over twenty minutes this WIS continued,
the mingled roars of the infurlated AMI
mails producing ear-splitting sounds.
Finally the 'gater again seized his first
victim by the nose. and with a death
grip. The other animal plunged in. and
catching both horns under the gators
side gave him q tos, ripping him up 50
that his e~ntrails protfuled. The effect
was seen at once, as his terrible fail
played more feebly, but his hold on the
bulls nose could not be broken. Several
more ugly wounds were made. and the
reptiles roars Of anger changed to those
Of pain and fear. His antagonist charged
him time and time again, laccratinr
him terribly. Finally no resistance wag
made, the victor trampsing on the
bloody carcass, though the terrible grip
oil those iron jaws still maintained their
hold on the nose OF the FIRST bull, who
had been forced to his knees ard was
fast dying from the terrible blows he
had received and the great loss Of blood.
Several of the watchers then went down