The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1888-07-05
A RABBIT.
Deeds of Prowess Performed by a wonds
sIily Made Texas Jack,

Deeds of Prowess Performed by a wond.r
sIiiy Made Texas Jack.
The rabbit is known to the student
Of natural history as the most timid-
perhaps cowardly-creature of the
animal kingdom. Its habits snd its
form indicate that it was never in.
tended by nature to do battle with
other animals. The rabbit remains
concealed by day, and ZONES out by
twilight in search OF food. Pursued
by dogs it always takes fight, and
often runs into the hole of the wood.
chuck, skunk, fox, or weasel-in the
last three cases often falling a victim
to the inhabitant of the burrow. The
Texas ~jack-rabbit is a peculiar species
of the hare family, Possessing long,
slender legs, indicating rapid locomo-
ton and a capacity for making long
leaps. The greatest terror to the
lack" is the ~fast-running dog, from
which he always runs with all the
speed nature has given him. When
DIR. j. H. Leslie, of this city, related
his recent experiences with a Texas
rabbit, and related how it whipped all
the dogs in Carondelet to a party OF
friends, there was scarcely a man in
the circle who was willing to believe
it, because it was an unnatural reason
ing. 1t was contrary to the history OF
either Of the animals, but the
doctor said it was true and offered to
wager any sum that he had a Texas
Jack" rabbit that would fight any dog
in the city. He was not so sure that
the rabbit1could whip all the dogs in
town, but he was certain that he would .
fight. .... .....t ....<
Several weeks ago." said DR.. Leslie,
"a lady friend of my wife, living in
Texas, sent u little SOL a jack
rabbit for a birthday present. On tax.
ing the animal to my home in Caron-
delet we found it thoroughly domesti-
Gated, and it seemed to be perfectly
delighted with its new surroundings
in the city. 1t soon got on familiar
terms with the boy, and would follow
him around all day, sometimes Jump
inginto the little wagon he played with,
riding until tired, and then jumping
out again. | have a fine hunting dog
at home who seems to be very jealous
of the Texas importation, and he
showed his disapproval of the rabbits
presence by running Over it at every
opportunity. Well. the rabbit got tired
of being snubbed by the dog, and Sun
day while the two were in the yard at
tackled the dog and whipped him.
Jumping o. the dogs back it clutched
his neck with its teeth and fastened
its claws firmly in his side and back.
The dog was powerless to defend
himself, so he howled for assistance.
When they Were parted the rabbit
was locked up. My wife told me of
the battle when | went home in the
evening and l determined to give the
dog another chance. Accordingly on
Monday morning | dropped the rabbit
down in the yard beside the dog. As
quick as a flash the attack was made
by the rabbit, as on the previous day,
and the dog was whipped the second
time. The neighbors brought in their
dogs, and all shared the fate of my
dog. ! examined the rabbit closely
and | found that it was an ~extraordin.
airy one. The lower jaw of the COM
rabbit is fiat and smooth. This
rabbit has two sharp tuskB on the
lower jaw, each of them thsee-quart-
of IN inch in length. In this ii
the cat, and | might add
that the name of attacking the dog
Is also after the style Of the feline spe-
cies. When it fights its long ears are
laid fiat on the back Of the neck. and
it strikes with its claws at the vital
parts Of the dog, in this latter respect
the instincts and seeming train
ing of Il professional squirrel fighter.
is, indeed, a curious freak of nature,
which | am wholly unable to &C
count.-St. Louis Globe Democrat.
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