The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-14
|ELAS FIGHT TO THE DEATH.
x1r IL tie African Jangle Witnesses Desperate Battle
for tie Favor of Female.

gnashinEs. which ripped skin ana flesh
from face and shoulders and chest
The older gorilla was taken by surprise
at this sudden rush and change OF tactics
by his opponent. But though at disadvan-
tage, he was too old fighter to be easily
dismayed. First. he secured grip on his
opponents throat. and straining every
muscle. tried to tear himself free from
the infatuated grasp of the younger beast.
He might az easily broken q steel cable as
the stranglinR hold Of his enraged oppon-
ent. Then the older fighter relaxed his
grip on the others throat. and placing both
his big human-like paws on the younger's
face tried to force his head back.
This brought out q terrific trial OF
strength. If the old gorilla could force the
others head back. he would be free and
might perhaps break his enemy's neck.
Each Of the huge fighters seemed to know
this and put forth all OF their giant
strength. Back, shoulders, arms and neck
were called into play. the heavy muscles
ripping up and gathering into big knots
The snarling growls which had marked the
beginning Of the fight had died away. Each
animal was silent. A stiffness seemed to
have fallen on the whole Jungle. and the
cracking Of the twigs and dry leaves SEEM
ed unnaturally loud as the two gigantic
lighters came to the supreme struggle.
but seemed an hour. the two semi-human
shapes stood there putting forth every en-
ergy. At last the younger fighters face
was within two inches Of his opponents
head. The younger gorilla made SUI
preme effort. twisted his head suddenly and
before his opponent could dodge had fas-
tened his teeth In a death grip on the throat
Of the veteran fighter.
1.-THE veteran was borne backward. car
lvsw <on Vryft lvvV Tynva ha
could loosen the grip on his throat he was
doomed. and the old fighter knew 1t. Over
and over on the ground the two huge apes
rolled. lighting desperately, but without
sound save for the shrill Kissing Of their
breath as II was forced from their heav-
ing chests. The veteran of many hard
fought jungle battle knew his own end had
come.
up to this time the battle had been
fought in silence, but as the old gorilla
gave up the contest and felt the teeth Of
his antagonist sinking deeper and deeper
into his throat. the pain was greater than
he could bear. He broke into wailing cry
that echoed through the Jungle. have
heard the death cry of many animals. but
never call like that Of the dying gorilla.
For 1t was not like an animal, but the wall
of q man In overmastering pain, q croking
half sob, half shrek. Again and again it
rose up lifted my rife and then lowered
and to NEEDLE In that fight with only my
light rifle meant my own death. The half
human wall broke out again, but while
was standing irresolute 1t ceased. The
fierce, hard lighting, hard biting younger
gorilla had been working his way through
his antagonists throat and had at last bit
ten through the windpipe. The great fight
was over, and the veteran of many similar
contests had met the fate he had melted
out to others.
II watched the younger ape, as IL fasci-
mated, while he wreaked his revenge on
the body of his dead enemy. Then with a
start it occurred to me that would suffer
a similar fate II I-stayed in that vicinity.
But had no real cause for anxiety. The
gorilla had other matters to think of. The
last glimpse l had of the conquerer was
as, with the glare of battle still In his
eyes, and covered from head to foot with
his own blood and that of his enemy, he
marched of in triumph toward her for
whom he had fought SO desperately and
SO we'll"