The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-22
AROYAL ENCOUNTER.

Sir Frederick was the British con
sui many years ago. He was a royal
good fellow, and represented her gra.
cious young Majestys government
with royal distinction. His people he
represented in those propensities for
certain pastimes that have generally
characterized as Engishman.
In fact, in the parlance of today he
would be called sport Yet he was
a sport who wore his decorum ana
| sense OF personal pride as assduous-
| ly as he Wore his neat suit of broad
! cloth and his side Whiskers of royal
4 cut prince of good companions,
y indeed-full of anecdote. story and So
cial graces. The boys all knew him:
the men courted him; the sports rev.
cred him.
His passions were fleet horses and
| blooded bull dogs. OF the former he
owned a notable specimen. Of the
latter, he was master of brace of
aristocratic warrior. One OF them
! was terrier of Essex stock. He was
the pet-fond OF his MASTER and ever
| eager to display the good breeding
and pugnacious qualities which mark
| ed his race. The other was a British
bull uOS VI dutleII lllGaSe-JnG PRIDE
| of Sir Frederick. To him he would
| have entrusted the commercial inter-
csts of England, knowing that victory
would not fail him if he fought for
! their protection.
There was always a serious care
which weighed upon Sir Frederick y
mind. 1t was almost impossible to
| find anywhere dogs against whom he
might pit his own proud beats. lie
4 e rg =
! courage or inferior strength. There
fore, when q worthy antagonist was
to be found the affairs of his consular
office deferred to the higher demands
of royal dog fight.
| One day Sir Frederick received
/ pressing invitation to appear at the
home of Captain Barclay, a gentleman
residing in the country, with his
friends and dogs. An eyentful day
was promised, and Sir Frederick
! thrilled inwardly with delight. Feeling
| the Importance of the occasion, he
| hastily summoned n council of chosen
friends; and, with great dignity, laid
| the matter before them. The invita-
! ton was duly accepted and the mes
/ senger so Informed.
The day arrived, but the fight did
not occur; although The party reach
ed their destination in full prepare
! ton for the great encounter. Another
conflict unexpectedly arose. which
even to the gallant Sir Frederick
/ proved a worthy substitute.
They were all seated upon Captain
! Barclays spacious piazza, a merry
company OF kindred spirits. Suddenly,
a servant rushed to the door and call
ed out that bull had gotten into the
field, and was making towards the pas
! ture where Captain Barclays own bull
4 al, hi Of
q noble family of cattle, proud, state
! ly, fierce-by name Duke Henry. The
visitor was king. lordly animal OF
much local repute.
Following Captain Barclay, the
company all went around the house.
The situation was easily discerned.
The captain rushed through the
pasture gate, and endeavored to drive
his own animal into the barnyard. the
| bull at first moved quietly forward:
out soon the approaching king uttered
| q deep note of defiance, which rever-
berated like a distant lannon's roar.
Duke Henry wheeled suddenly, and
| signalled an acceptance of the chal-.
lenge.
Two of the visiting gentlemen went
/ forward, and assisted in the effort to
| drive the now refractory Duke Henry
but he was too obstinate. He rushed
between them. snorting and nervous
for the fray.
1t came; and the clash was with the
highest display of brutal fury. Duke
! Henry was quick and demonstrative.
King approached slowly with a calm
| air of conscious power. but with
cleaning, fiery eyes. Duke Henry,
with head bent low and believing
! madly. flanked his enemy and gored
| him.
King was Infatuated by the stroke,
and seemed to become electrified with
new energy. He expressed his anger
| in a low, heavy terrible note.
The spectators stood transfXed by
the spectacle, livid with interest
AS the battle suddenly reached the
! furious juncture, the Captain ex-
claimed with excitement: Gentlemen
| must save my animal. He darted
| for the barn, and returned at once
| with a rope. Sir Frederick seized it,
! and sprang toward the fighting ami
mails. Remonstrance was unheeded
His spirit was aroused, and his pur-
pose fixed. His friends could only
stand and watch: although for him
/ there seemed to be even chances be-
tween life and death
The animals had locked horns. But
| King in a few minutes withdrew a
| little; then made an onslaught, strik-
| ing his enemy's forehead with a blow
/ that made them both stagger Duke
Henry seemed daZed and unsteady.
| King, however, prepared to attack
again, this time at his enemy's side.
Sir Frederick was now beside him.
/ He looped the rope, and. throwing it
over the horns Of the maddened King,
pulled him away from his stand. The
anirnal threw down his head and
shook off the rope; then looked at
him, muttered a suppressed threat,
and again made ready to attack his
adversary. He raised his right foot.
AS quick as a flash, Sir Frederick
jumped forward slipped moose
around the uplifted leg, jerked the
rope from behind, and pulled the
animal to the ground. The latter