The morning call., 1891-04-17
A FIGHT TO THE DEATH.
How Three Buffaloes Were Routed by al
Enormous Panther.


Enormous Panther.
A correspondent sends the Madras Mail
an account of an exciting bit of shikar that
befell Mr.. j. T. Lever of Russelkondah and
Messrs. J. and W. R. Newman. 1t appears
that for some time large panther had been
the terror of the village of Mutchada and
the surrounding district, attacking every
one who issued from the village. On Janu-
airy goth news was brought to Mr.. Lever
that three men had been badly hurt by the
brute. who had been rendered more than
usually ill-tempered by an old wound. A
beat was organized, and 1t was then dlscoV-
cred that the panther had taken up an
almost impregnable position in a thick patch
OF sugar-canes.
So twas decided to utilize herd of buffa-
loes to dislOdge him. Three buffaloes which
had character for strength and ferceness
were therefore selected to enact the part OF
heaters and driven into their canes with a
few OF their fellows. Soon deep. menac-
ing growl issued from the depths of the CO.
vert and the buffaloes Immediately closed
together, as If by word of command. Their
owners, protected on the edge of the covert
by the guns of the sporLSmen, called out en-
couraging them to charge. Tie panther
sprang on TO the foremost buffalo. Below
ing with rage and pain the great brute tried
vainly to get its assailant beneath its h0ofS
and massive horns. The panther held on to
its neck and head with invincible tenacity,
scoring deep lines in the buffalo's hide with
claws.
In the meantime the other two bulls
charged to the rescue of their companion.
aud then an extraordinary c0ntretemps &C.
Cured. In their blind fury the brutes re-
ceived the shock of each others impact, and,
oblivlous Of the panther, fought desperately
with each other. One buffalo, with foam
fiecked lips and bloody head and neck, was
Ipgr a lU oh mi I'm hp o.
ing to it like wise, while the other two
buffaloes, with horns interlocked, fought
desperately. Then the buffalo went down
before its adversary, who rolled it over with
triumphant bellows and chorus of savage
roars and fierce bellows arose from the
canes, in which, for moment, all four ami
mails were hidden from view. A moment
more and there was a wild rush, and the
three buffaloes fed ANONYMOUSLY before the
victorious panther, who pursued them with
a roar.
Matters have now come to crisis No
persuasion could induce the buffalOes. after
their late experience, 10 face the panther or
to go near the thick covert; so the sports
men resolved to 60 in themselves. 1t was
decided that Mr.. j. Newman should advance
up the center, followed by number of men
20 cut the canes behind him as he progressed,
while Mr.. Lever and Mr.. w. K. Newman
guarded each wing OF the horseshoe. With
Mr.. w. j. Newman also went a native
Shlkarl, armed with rifle. After adyanc-
ing a short distance the panther charged
Mr.. j. Newman, who did not fire until the
beast was within a couple of yards of him.
This spun the panther round, and second
shot sent it back into covert.
But it was not done with yet, and made
several efforts 10 break and gain the shelter
of the adjacent jungle. These efforts were,
however, all frustrated, till at length a cry
arose from an unguarded spot near the vii
lage, and the natives who had been looking
on were seen in full flight, tumbling over
each other in their terror and confusion.
Mr.. Lever got up just as the panther broke,
and, making very good shot, hit it in the
neck. This tumbled it over, and second
bullet ended the life Of this piucky panthe
The relatives of the men injured by the
brute crowded round as its carcass was be-
ing cut up. and begged for the solitary dis
connected bone imbedded in the flesh of
each shoulder, which is found in all felineS,
as they believed the mangled men would
recover If possessed of these.