The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-08-22
AN EXCITING BATTLE.

In Which q Young Bull Succeeds in
vanquishing Rhinoceros.
Speaking Of exciting combats." said
Colonel Gregory, of New York, to a
group of his friends here. II witnessed
one about ten years ago that beat any
thing aver saw. When mere school
boy l was taught that the 'backleyers.
as the Hottentots called their oxen.
could be taught wonderful feats of skill
and became valuable assistants in war:
That they would gore, kick and trample
to death with incredible fury any enemy.
but were perfectly friendly and valu-
able protection to every member Of their
own kraaL Whether this is true or not
have never been able to definitely de-
termine, but during short sojourn in
south Africa at the time mentioned I
saw what convinced me Of their ferocity
in fighting.
IL was in the edge of Zululand on a
mission for All uncle, who was making a
fortune in mercantile pursuits, and
stopped fol a day or two with splendid
specimen of the native, whose handsome
wife and bright children made me al
most forget their color The children
had pet blackleyer-a young bull
which they called Hulo. and which they
sondly believed could vanquish any beast
on earth. The second night of my stay
it was time of full moon. and was 80
warm that after my first nap arose and
went out into the beautiful night, and
found my host and his eldest son, lad
of sixteen. there already. Hulo in his
pen seemed very impatient, and young
Omak let him out into the space in front
of his fathers hut. Here the graceful
and spirited animal stood shifting the air,
shaking his head till his long, beautiful
horns glistened in the moonlight and his
bright eyes sparkled in evident anxiety.
II was just on the point of asking
what it meant when a heavy running
sound approached us. and out Of the for
est into the open space came a magnif-
cent looking specimen of u horrible look
ing brute, which saw at a glance was
rhinoceros. | at once sprang for my
gun, and my host and his son did the
same, all of which took but second.
The rhinoceros still stood there. glanc-
ing from us to Hulo. We could scarcely
see his disgusting little eyes, and dis
liked to take chances on shooting in the
moonlight, for our guns were loaded
with leaden bullets, and 80 thick are the
skins Of these animals that iron or tin
bullets are used for hunting them. We
were saved any trouble, however, for
Hulo, with a below. gave challenge tc
combat.
'The rhinoceros was clumsy and dull
but nothing could withstand his as
saults and it seemed rs if he would
never tire. He would make a rush at
Hulo, and as soon rs Hulo's horns would
cut him in the sides and TANKS he would
turn and rush at him again. Finally the
young bull showed signs of fatigue and
changed his attack from the sides to the
rear. Here he found vulnerable places
on the inside of his enemy's thighs, and
sent forth below which plainly indi-
Gated joy. No matter how often or
which way the rhinoceros would turn
Hulo was behind him, tearing his legs
to pieces with those keen, sharp, sword
like horns of his. while the blood ran in
streams. It was impossible for the
heavier brute to evade his quicker
enemy, and at last, realizing this, every
thrust by the victorious bull brought
forth below of rage and despair from
the denizen of the forest, followed by
note Of victory by Hulo.
1.-THE movements of the rhinoceros be-
came slower and slower as he was being
more and more cut to pieces. and at last
sitting down he tried to turn fast enough
to front and ward off his active enemy.
It was all to no purpose, however, and
delay was only prolonging the death
agony. 30 at a word from his father
young Omak walked up and sent bull
let through its eye and it rolled over
dead. shall never forget the picture
that followed AS soon as the enormous
animal rolled over, the young bull sprang
upon his vanquished enemy and sent
forth challenge after challenge of rage,
defiance and victoryl Standing there
with his head high in the air, and his
horns covered with blood from tip to
base, and his face, nostrils, chest and
forelegs q solid sheet of blood and flesh,
he formed picture In the moonlight
that one could never see and forget.
Galveston Cor. st. Louis GLOBE Demo
GRAFT