Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-05-01

heard such a noise, olCher DerOre or
since, as that cock ostrich made as he
sped over the ground, each flying foot.
step marked by a far-fung scatter OF
dust. can only describe it as a sort
of grooming, blended with a peculiarly
malignant note-a cry which lent ter
ror to my emotions and additional
speed to my feet.
Presently, as l peeped over my
shoulder, / saw that the bird had
altered it's line of fight-it was after
me, and nobody else! The mOnstrous
bird came EDWARDS like a feathered
rocket, with neck outstretched and
wings braced tightly back against its
plumed sides, and my knees trembled
at the sight.
The next instant, as I turned my
head fearfully, | saw a great purple
tinted leg and foot flash through the
air. 1 ducked, more by instinct than
design, and received a buffet on the
hip which sent NE rolling over and
over on the ground dazed and sick.
What prompted me to lie PROSTATE
don't know. Still uttering its queer
grooming the huge bird darted at me
again. Had l attempted to rise at
that moment my brains would prob
ably have been dashed out by the
powerful legs which fell like hammer
strokes upon my defenceless carcass.
Crouching upon the scrub I lay half
stunned, while the brute deliberately
proceeded to trample the life out of
me, futtering its wings in frenzy
of rage, covering me with dust, and
all the while uttering its horrible
whinny.
I gave myself up for lost. knew
there was no possibility of help from
human agency, and unconsciously
tried to postpone the end by squeez-
ing my body as far as possible into
the sun-baked SOIL AS in a dream,
almost as if I were a spectator in
some undressing street quarrel,
saw the terrible legs striking vainly
above me in an attempt to rip ms
open. For this, as I subsequently
learned, is the effect of a fair blow
from an ostrich's foot.
had ordained that it was not to be
my end. Into my brain leaped a de-
sire for life and action. 1 rolled over
on my face, getting as 1 did 30 a
severe glancing blow on the ribs
which tore clothing to the bare flesh,
! and sent buttons flying in every direc-
ton. Crash. came the birds terrible
feet on my thighs as did so, and my
movement seemed to still further en-
rage him. for he pecked savagely at
me with his beak.
Then rage such as I have never be-
fore experienced-and l trust, shall
never know again-thrilled every fibre
in me- My trembling fingers closed
on the little leather sheath in which
lay the patent knife l wear on my hip.
With a wrench 1 drew it forth and
touched the spring. Click! The blade
shot out. Protecting my face as well
as possible against the blows from
above, watched an opportunity. Pres
emily the ostrich attacked me again
with it's beak, and l swung my bruised
body upward with a superhuman eff
fort and grabbed blindly at the brute's
head.
Thanks to my good angel, who mus
surely have been watching over me
in this extremity, my clutching fing-
ers did not miss their mark. They
sank deep into the short feathers COW
ering a neck which writhed under my
grip, as if made of india rubber rings.
A blow from the withdrawing wing
almost cost me my senses, but | hung
on with a rage almost as furious as
that of my assailant. The brute's
savage exertions dragged me off the
ground and jerked me to and fro
for a minute like a marionette, my
helpless feet trailing and swinging
with the violence of the birds efforts
to loosen my hold. Another blow
from it's formidable wing brought
tears to my eyes, but still hung on,
| though strength was beginning to fall.
Then, seeing an opportunity, brought
nv right hand round, and stabbed
blindly and viciously at the 1.-THE, pal
pitating neck above me. The next
moment a gush of hot blood spurted
all over me. Again l stabbed at the
yielding flesh, and simultaneously the
great bird fell away from my grasp,
uttering a horrible screaming cry. For
an instant l half knelt on the scrub
painting for breath, but prepared, II
necessary, to continue the fight.
Again the ostrich came at me, flap
ping its wings and wagging its head;
then, half way, the birds strength
! failed. The broad breast was dyed
with a sudden rush Of crimson, and
knew that the danger was over.
For a few moments my foe reeled
and swayed like drunken man, lurch-
ing round in a circle, and then fell
with a soft plop to the ground. Its
feathery sides heaved cOnvulsively,
the beak opened to give vent to final
squawk Of defiance, pain, and rage,
IL -.