The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-03-23
THE FIERCE BUFFALO
HE is MORE THAN A MATCH FOR THE
KING OF BEASTS.


The bulls Of all the species of the
genus Dos are savage and dangerous
at times. The Romans knew no bet
Ter sport than to see powerful bull
of the common domestic species toss a
lion unless it was to see him toss
man. and bullfights are still the most
loved diversion in all Spanish and
Spanish countries. The Amer
lean bison used to be fine fighter, the
only indigenous animal which could
whip him being the grizzly bear. But
unques,ionably the fiercest and most
formidable gladiators of this genus are
the buffaIoes of Asia and Africa.
Experience has taught the lions Of
Africa discretion. and they never hunt
the buffalo singly. but always in pairs
or companies. The buffalo is far larger
and more powerful than the lion, and
one good toss Of his long, sharp, pow
erful horns, which frequently exceed
twelve feet from tip to tip, Is usually
enough to kill the so called liking Of
beasts" In fact, one buffalo is almost
a match for two lions. Once when Sir
Samuel W. Baker was hunting in Afri
ca he found the dislocated skeleton of
buffalo lying intermiXed with the
broken bones Of lion. He concluded
from appearances that two lions had
attacked one buffalo and that the buff
falo had killed one of them, but had
finally succumbed to the other. Major
Varion and Mr.. Oswell once. saw
buffalo bull carry on successfully
fight against three lions until he sud-
denly dropped dead from the effects Of
wound which Major Vardon had pre-
vfously given him.
The Asiatic buffalo Is smaller and
Less muscular than his African cousin.
but he has his full share Of proves.
He Is more than match for the tiger,
which declines the combat unless urged
to it by hunger. Even the domestic
bull buffalo usually will whi1. the tiger.
The Indian driver Of pair Of large
buffalo bulls plunges unhesttatfngly
into the darkest and most tangled for
est, aware that the tiger probably will
not attack him when thus accompanied
and that even if 1t should his team
would make short work Of the fero-
cious beast with their massive horns.
It Is said the buffalo sometimes kills
even the elephant. it's mode of attack
being to thrust its horns into the ele
plants belly. This may happen some
times, but can hardly take place often,
as the great weight and strength of the
elephant make it when enraged foe
which neither the buffalo nor any 9TH
er animal can withstand Buffalo fights
and fights between buffaloes and tigers
are main features in the entertain-
ments Of Indian princes.
Most species Of wild animals usually
get along pretty well among them
selves, but fights between buffalo bulls
are frequent and deadly. The victor In
such contests always rancoronsly pur-
sues the flying vanquished and tries to
hook him in the rear. Sir Samuel W.
Baker once came upon a pair of old
bulls which. while fighting had got
their horns interlocked so they could
not get loose. Having q rife of great
effectiveness, he killed them both at one
shot.
The buffalo is not only one of the
most redoubtable of fighters. but is al
so the most ruthless and ferocious.
whether its antagonist be man or some
other animal 'Many animals charge
when Infatuated" says Sir Samuel w.
Baker. ''but they can generally be
turned by the stunning effect of a ri
de shot, even though they may be
mortally wounded but a buffalo is a
devil incarnate when it has once de-
c1ded on the offensive. Nothing will
turn it. If not killed it will assuredly
destroy its adversary. There is no
creature in existence chat Is so deter
mined to stamp out the life of its OPP
pOnent. Should 1t succeed in over
throwing it's antagonist 1t will not only
gore the body with its horns. but it
will endeavor to tear 1t to pieces and
will stand upon its lifeless form and
stamp it with his hoofs until the mu-
tilated remains are disfigured beyond
all recognition 1t is this ferocity of
the buffalo which makes buffalo hunt
Ing so exciting and so perilous sport.
Experienced hunters are always care
full not to stand in front Of buffalo
which has been felled by bullet and
is apparently dead, for after every sign
of life is gone it may spring to its feet
and deal destruction in every direction.
Baron Harnier, Prussian. shot buff
falo on the White Nile several years
ago. His native servant had just tax
en- a position near the head of the AMI
NAL. which was apparently dead, when
1t sprang to it's feet and knocked the
man headlong Baron Harnier's rifle
being unloaded, he courageously club
bed the weapon and tried to drive the
buffalo off, The animal turned furi-
Ously upon him and stamped and gored
him to death. The missionaries who
found his body also found the carcass
OF the buffalo lying near it. and little
farther away was the body of his
servant.