The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-23
FOUGH 4 TO THE DEATH.

A Bull Attacks ard Finishes Huge Pan.
| ther.
TuLA Rosa, N. NJ. Jan. pa stockmau
employed on the Willow Creek ranch. lying
few miles south Of this place. reports an
interesting combat between bull and a
panther, which he witnessed recently while
herding cattle in the fertile valley Of the
Rio Pecos. The panther was large one of
the species known as gray jumbos. from
their size and mouse-colored fur, and had
been seen some days before skulking about
| the corral. but had made off on being fred
| at. Early one morning, however, the herder
awas awakened by a stampede among some
COWS with young calves which were
confined in pen a few hundred yards from
his cabin, and ssizing his gun he ran 10 the
spot, only to find that all of the COWS and
calves, with the exception of one of each
had broken out and were oalloping wildly
away. The cow left was believing
piteouslv, and the calf, which had fallen to
tho earth, borne down by long, 1.-THE body
nearly covering 1t. was lying feebly moan
ing.
But before the herder could fire upon the
panther, which on his approach,had raised
Its bead and snarlod. he saw a bull coming
plunging into the pen. He made straight,
for the panther. and with a single push of
his horns lifted it from the calf, and as the
cat touched the ground. attacked it with his
hoofs, rearing up and striking with his
fore feet with remarkable agility and tre-
mendous force. The panther flew at the
bnll as soon as it could right itself. and
caught him by the throat only to be thrown
to one side by toss of his blunt head
which then attacked it with the pointed
horns, which tore the fur and flesh till the
ground was covered with blood. The
panther, screaming with fury, returned to
the charge whenever the pummeling i. re-
ceiyed allowed it to regain its footing TO.
moment. The bulls head and muzzle were
torn and scratched fearfully by his antag-
onist's powerful claws. which essayed agaIn
and again to cling to him. only to be thrown
OFF as lightly as n man might throw a child
The herder was afraid to fire upon the
panther, 80 rapid were the attacks and
counter attacks. and the bull proving more
than match for the gray jumbo. he
thought it best to let them tight il out to-
gether. The panther made several attempts
at last TO break and run. but the bull was ON
it before it could escape from the pen and
with hoofs and horns struck at it ful iously.
The cat struggled violenly. but weakened
by the blood streaming from every part of
its body. and thrown here and there at the |
mercy Of its powerful foe, was evidently
diving, when the bull. rushing upon it, lift /
ed it high i'll his horns and threw it against |
the fence aIcirclinR the pen. where IL lay |
quiet. and when examined proved to lave |
had its neck broken.
Even then the bull could not let it 90, |
but hauled and tossed it about the yard Tor |
some time, stamping II until bones and |
flesh were reduced to q jelly, but mt last,
firing OF his sport. he trotted of to rejoin |
the herd. The calf was found to have had |
it's neck broken by the panther's IeapinR on /
il. and beneath its throat was torn jagged |
wound from which the gray jumbo had |
been engaged IN draining its blood when /
the bull arrived ON the scene.