St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-12-01
A SAVAGE ENCOUNTER.
Terrible Struggle Between Buf-
falo and q Grizzly.
The Herd. Attacked by Bruin, Defended
BY Powerful Bun-Great Display ;
Of CouraSe-Battllng to
the Finish.


Twas returning from an unsuccoss-
full trip to some mines or supposed
mines. that had been reported to be
rich i'm gold, kas upon examination
proved to be nothing of the kind, and
while crossing a low range Of the Big
Horn mountains. west OF Rotten Grass,
my almost exhausted reny suddenly
recovered its animation and shifted the
air repeatedly, Being very much ia
tigued l gave no heed to the demon
strations, but pushed on few steps
further. where clear running spring
invited me to dismount, and soon both
horse and rider were eagerly drinking
from the same fountain and enjoying
the pleasure Of quenching their thirst
/ fastened tho pony with lariat. re-
moved the saddle from his tired back
and left him moving the, rich bunch
grass with evident relish, while be-
gan to prepare my own repast- Soon
heard a snorting, and Fastening to-
ward him found the former strange
behavior repeated with increased en-
crgy and great show of fear. Hooked
around but could see nothing. so re-
turned and finished my meal. took a
bath in the water and was looking over
my small pack. when my pony again
ran toward me in great fright. / then
took my rife and walked rapidly in the
direction from whence his look said he
apprchended danger, and about four
hundred yards away saw rs many as
= dozen buffaloes, quietly grazing
near some quaking asp bushes. 1crept
up as close as could without disturb
ing them. and had selected fat calf
for my victim, when a full-grown bull
came tearing out of the bushes and ran
toward the little herd. did not know
how to account for this strange freak.
rs l saw him looking in the direction
from which he came and shaking his
ponderous head in an angry manner.
But a short time was given me to
wonder what would happen next and
then full-sized grizzly bounded oat
after the bull and rushed toward the
herd. The cows began a loud bawl-
Ing, while the calves were rushing
wildly around, but the latter were
quickly surrounded by the cows in
circle. thus holding the little fellows
on the inside. as is their custom when
danger threatens. The bull took up
his position in the rear, with a man.
ncr which indicated his determination
10 protect the females and their young
with his life if necessary. ltwas soon
evident that some OF the herd would
become meal for his bearship, unless
they acted Immediately in their own
defense. The bull saw just how mat
ters stood, and when the bear was al
most at his heels. he turned swiftly
and met bruin as a mountain ram
meets his antagonist They came to-
gether with a dull thud. which fairly
stunned them both, and rebOunded
from the concussion like balls, when
they paused for an instant to recover
from the shock, and the bear then
made a fresh start for the herd, but
was again confronted by the bull.
The bear seemed to fully UNDER
stand the motives which actuated his
opponent SO he raised upon his
launches and prepared to do battle
with the bull, before he made another
attempt to secure a fresh young calf
At that moment the bull lowered his
head. shot forward with his tail stand
ing straight in the air. and struck the
bear full in the stomach. The bear in
turn caught him around the neck and
proceeded to tear the flesh from his
shoulders. while the bull gave the
grizzly some terrible wounds with his
horns, and finally made desperate
charge which compelled the bear to
relinquish his hold, when the buffalo
ran over his body and attempted TO
join the herd. Wild with rage, the
bear quickly resained his footing,
pursued and overlook the bull. which
then turned like flash and gave him
another charge. This time bruin
sprang upon the bison's back and
fastened his great claws and teeth
in the others flesh, a surprise for
which the bull was not prepared. but
he was equal to the situation, and
showed greal skill as an imitator of
the bronco bucker. The buffalo
plunged one way. then the other. while
the bear held on with = death-like
grip. until he also was surprised by
the bulls turning = complete somer-
sault. and before he could recover the
bull was upon him with its feet and
buried its horns deep in his shoul-
der. The bear then dealt the bison a
blow with his paw. which sounded far
on. and that made the bull shake its
head with pain.
All this time the herd stood waiting