The Anaconda standard., 1895-11-22
Stir .em up." shouted willis. make

4
'em fight
The cow-punchers let fly their long
/ iashes and TUFTS of hair were torn
| from the hides OF the steers.
"Whack 'emr' shouted Willis. Get
| 'em madi''
Again the snake-like whips straight
ened out. The steers sprang about.
endeavoring to avoid the blows Find
| ing they could not they turned on each
| other with bellows of rage and lowered
horns. They met in the center of the
ring. separated and came together
again. The second meeting finished
both of them. The left front leg of
the one was broken while the other
was gored through the lungs.
They were hauled out of the ring
and a white steer was driven in to face
a red and black one. This pair needed
no urging, but went right at each 9TH
er. The onlookers shouted their en-
coura cement. The battle was short
and decisive. The white steer gored
the red and black through the left
side and the taitter gave up the fight.
The white steer was withdrawn while
"a brown and white steer Killed a black
steer after FIVE minutes urging and
10 minutes lighting.
white steer and his brown and white
brother faced each other to determine
which should fight for the supremacy
against Bones. Although neither of
them needed 1t. Willis had his punch
ers work them up with the rawhide.
They were painting with excitement
when they were turned loose. The
white steer gave ground to his oppo-
nent at the outset. being chased twice
around the ring. On the third circle
he swerved suddenly. turned about
and drove his horns straight into his
anita gonist's side, mailing him against
the poles OF the corral.
Willis shouted with delight. He had
found a steer worthy to meet Bones.
He had discovered a fighter with STRAIT
egy as well as strength. He had a
steer who combined all the qualities
necessary for a champion-even the
ability to below. He straightway sent
a message to Wiles. so miles away, on
horseback. The answer came back
without delay.
''Trot out your steer" 1T said. Bring
on your money"
A week later Willis set out with his
steer for Wiles' ranch. A hundred
ranchmen and cow-punchers accom-
panied him, eager to place their money
on the white steer. They Travelled by
easy marches in order not to wear out
their representative. Arriving at Wiles'
ranch. Willis covered the money put
up for Bones, stipulating that his steer
should have four days rest to prepare
him for the fight. Wi1es readily agreed
to this. The fifth day fell on Saturday.
Meanwhile news OF the match had
got abroad and cowboys, ca,ttlemen
and Indians focked to the Wiles ranch
to see the fight. All of them had their
opinions regarding the relative merits
of the two steers. and were ready
with money to vindicate their judg-
-.
eral hundred people were congregated
about tho corral which Wiles had built
expressly for the fight. 1t was 60 feet
in diameter and the poles were Is feet
high. In less than an hour all the
money was I'D.
Bones entered the ring at 10 o'clock.
His supporters cheered him with vim
AS they sized up his lean, awkward
frame. their confidence weakened, but
as he moved about snorting and toss
ing his head their spirits rose again
Bones was iassoed and drawn back
TO the corral poles opposite the gate
He was held there while the white
steer was led into the ring by one of
Wfllis' men. The steer was lassoed
about the horns and drawn back to the
poles close by the open gate. The gate
was closed and Beau Fem. the ref
cree. climbed to the top of it and set
tied on the peaks of the poles. Two
men, one belonging to Willis and one
TO Wiles. were beside him. each with
a long lash.
"Cut 'em looser shouted Fem.
The tethered steers sprang from the
poles and planted themselves in the
ring with about 20 feet of space be-
tween them. The two men with the
lashes were readv to strike. But they
were too late. With "a snort the white
steer lowered his head and charged
Bones. Bones planted himself square
ly to meet the shock. His head, to the
watchers. seemed too high to shield
his lungs. and the Wiles crowd looked
blue. But lust as the white steers
horns seemed about to reach him,
Bones head shot down. his horns lock-
ed those OF his antagonist. there was
a struggle and the white steer was
thrown full on his side. Before Bones
could gore him he was up and charged
Bones SO quickly that the latter bare
ly had time to spring forward. and es-
cape with a torn HIP. The Willis
crowd cheered. The white steer had
drawn first blood.
Around the ring went Bones. chased
by the white steer. Suddenly he bolted
into the center and faced about The
white steer stopped short. made as II
to run, then plunged forward, again
catching Bones unawares. His horns
were too low. however. and he only
tumbled Bones over. Bones then work.
ed around like a prize-fighter sparring
for an opening. He thought he found
II. for he jumped forward, but met
only the white steers horns. His i'm
petus was terrific and drove the white
steer back to the poles. locking their
horns. Then ensued a terrible strug-
gle. Out into the center of the ring
they fought. their heads locked togesh-
er. their noses almost touching To-
gether they fell. rolling over and over.
Together the sprang up. each seeking
TO rise on mis- hind legs and throw his
antagonist free. Straining and pant
ing they backed against the corral
poles and leaning up against Il they
rose up gradually. Their horns crack
ed. their bodies ouivered. Then there
was a crash. The steers were sepa-
rated. Bones had lost one OF his horns
close TO the head. Its brsaking had
broken the lock. Again the Willis
crowd cheered. The white steer would
surely win.
The sfaor x-ttr ~.