The record-union., 1894-02-19
SAN FRANCISCO STOCK MARKET
sANFRAxclsco, February II, 1894.
WILD BEASTS IN BATTLE.
a Trapped Bears Struggle to the
Demth With a Noun thin Lion.

Bears struggle To bnS
Death With a Noun tnin Lion.
Raleigh f. Wilkinson, ranchman liv-
ing near Craig, Mont, recently told a
writer for the New York Sun all interest
ing story of fight between a bear, coy
ote and mountain lion. The coyote. as
every woodsman knows, is the greatest
coward in the animal Kingdom. a Gin
namon bear will fight when there is no
escape, while mountain lion or cata-
mount is always ready for a fight when
he thinks he has the best Of 1t.
MIR. Wilkinson, having lost fine brood
of ducks, and suspeeting that a coyote
was responsible, set a bear trap baited
with fresh beef. Early the next morning
he was awakened by howl which be-
token results. Knowing that the coyote.
If caught, could not get away from the
heavy claws of the bear trap, he returned
to sleep. An hour later he was awakened
by chorus of fierce animal voices. When
he visited the trap he found a coyote
caught fast by the shoulder, and CHINA
mon bear had likewise been caught, show
ing that both animals had made a strike
for the beef at the same time, the COYOTE S
hunger having doubtl overcome his
native cowardice, Ten feet away was a
magnificent great mountain lion, waiting
until one OF the fighters had killed the
other before finishing the winner. Curl
coyote showed disposition to attack the
other. Each stood on three legs, watch
ing their common enemy, the lion, evil
IDENTIFY understanding his purpose. The
air in the meantime was filed with the
mighty roar of their voices. MIR. Wilkin-
sou, thinking that their cries might
bring more animals to the scene, got his
rifle into range, though determined not
to interrupt what promised to be most
exciting fight.
A halt hour passed before the lion got
impatient. Then be gradually drew near
the trap, measuring the distance so as to
keep out OF range. The frightened coy
ote lay flat on the ground, with his nose
in the dirt, while The bear stood erect,
with one paw drawn back to defend
himself. The lion, snarllng and spit
ting. exchanged a lumber OF swift strokes
with the bear, then he retreated and
crawled to the top of sheep shed near
by. There he lay crouched for moment;
then made a spring, dropping squarely
on the bear. A terrific struggle followed.
The lion closed his teeth on the bear 8
throat, and was in turn caught IN mighty
hug. The two fell to the ground, the
bear on top, with the blood pouring in a
stream over his brown hide. They rolled
from side to side and the trap was pulled
from it's stakes Then the bear rose on
MS Hlhu IeSsi Cal iHs .hS i!on " III lille
He managed to loosen the lions hold on
his throat and get a grip on his adversa-
ry's neck. The fight was then soon over.
The lions eyes rolled outward. his head
dropped, and he was strangled to death.
The bear was not much better off. He
staggered like a drunken man, bleeding
from many wounds. He still had life
enough to look after the coyote. which
was nearly frightened to death; made
two strokes at the coward of the plains
and crushed the life out of him. Then
the bear staggered to the sheep shed and
rolled over dead.