The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-03
A STALLION WHIPS A GRIZZLY.
Powerful Prutes in a Unique Battle in
the Western Wilds.


From the Denver Republican.
The wild horses we're evidently coming
my way. This gathering of phantom steeds
gradually came more distinct as they came
near me, and now were perhaps 200 yards
from me and near the canyon. Nearest of all
to the edge of the ravine was mare with
young colt playing about her. the two being
somewhat separated from the other horses.
As l was turning to go to my horse move
ment in the lifeless, log-like mass lying over
the break of the bank arrested my attention.
Still fiat on the ground, it was working over
the brink upon the upland, like thick
bodied snake.
Suddenly it arose, expanding as it did so
into huge form, misshapen and terrible, of
a grizzly bear, and with a rush of astonish-
ing rapidity, darted straight to the colt,
which 1t reached before the little creature
had even time to turn, and struck il down
with q blow OF it's paw. The poor mother in
terror dashed away few steps, then turned
and reared as IL to attack the slayer of her
offspring. Instantly the bear made for her
with a savage roar that caased her TO wheel
to run, but before she could move step he
was upon her launches, tearing at her with
his claws and teeth in the endeayor to drag
her down. Borne almost to the ground, she
with a mad plunge freed herself from her
enemy, and with torn aud bleeding launches
galloped In wild terror smong her com
rades, which, neighing loudly. were draw
ing away aud together in alarm. .
The bear turned back toward the colt,
which did not move after it was first struck
down, and, growing as he stood over it,
began to tear it. The band Of hor sss' ran
but short distance, then gathered in
knot, and, with the colts in the midst of
the gathering. stood with their heads facing
inward and their heels forming circle of
defense.
A magnificent stallion, dark bay with a
white star in his forehead, gallant-steppng
animal, wonderfully alert aud free of gait,
with a powerful neck proudly curved and
great sweep Of name an tail, dashed
about them like one In command until
their arrangements were complete. Then,
leaving the other horses and neighing
shrilly, he trotted straight toward the bear,
which now was dragging the colt toward
the canyon. The sun, new risen, was burn
ing away the fcg, and the dir had cleared
enough to give me clear view of all that
was going on before me.
you're playing bluff l thought, as
the stallion advanced upon the savage
beast of prey. Youth not take any risk of
getting too near that bear. IL he gels hold
or it's all day for vou."
The bear evidently resented his approach,
and when the stallion came near he turned
to face him, growing and making a great
show of teeth. Then when the steed had
advanced to within few yards the bear
made a swift push toward hIm. His move.
ment, scramble and run of astonishing
quickness, brought him to his object at
once, but instead Of turning tail to flee, tie
stallion met him at a gallop and plunged
straight at him, striking terri1cally with his
fore feet with the swlttness and certainty of
boxer in the endeavor to trampe down his
enemy. The bear ha,f rose on his haunches.
and, protecting his head as we'll as he could
with his great paws, struck out in return on
the defensive. The onslaught Of the horse
was SO quick and furious the bear was
knocked backward under the descending
hoJfs, but twisting around on all-fours
almost under the horse he suddenly reared,
and, clutching each side of his.opponents
neck with bis fore paws, pull ed himself for-
ward ard caught with his teeth at the
horses throat.
Nothing but the astonishing strength and
quickne9s of the stallion saved him from
being caught in deadly grapple, which,
once secured by the bear, could hardly have
been broken. But, as if realizing that he
had no show in in such a clinch, the Lorse
backed away so strongly and suddenly that
he broke the hold of the bears cruel grip
for from where ! was / could see the
1iSCA AA APPAHb AAOLI Luo btalilO14S LOT6
shoulder as he galloped away.
The horse lost no time in putting safe
distance between himself and the bear but
then, instead of Leaving bis enemy in posse
sion Of the field, as l hoped he would--ior |
thought he had no chance against such an
oppolent-he trotted ia vide circle around
the bear, which, with brlstltng hair, stood
on his guard, turning his head to follow his
assallant's movements with vigllant watch
He understool the situation better than |
did, for tie stallion, after desclibing several
circles, suddenly made for the bear in the
same manner as before, striking with his
fore feet, and even making as If he would
tear at him with his teeth. But in spite of
the fury OF the attack aud the trampling
hoofs, the bear at last worke1 his way as
before to firm hold Of the neck and shout
deTs OF his gallant enemy.
lyon won't get away so early this time
said to my self as the tallion backed away
with frantic energy, dragging behind him
over the ground the gray. shaggy beast at
his throat But finally he tore himself
clear, bleeding freely, and leaving tattered
brnch OF his name 10 the bears paw, as be
dashed once more safe from that terrible
clutch.
As ! watched this exciting duel with
breathleSs interest my sympathIes naturally
we're ali with tho horSe. Each time that