Year: 1868

gDf8s


A hunter in the WiIds Of Texas Who
met many startling adventures and saw
some strange sights aud strange crea-
lures, was once witness to a singular
battle on the banks Of lonely lagoon
in the forest.


He had killed black panther at this
plsce-more in selfdefensa than for
game, for he was chasing wild cattle
that day. and leaving the carcass, TO
return, possibly, by and BY for its skin,
hurried forward on a trail (which be ex-
pected would lead to the object Of bis
hunt


He came back before night with the
trophy Of wild bull hide, and passed
the lagoon where be had encountered
and killed his dangerous assailant ia
the morning. Savage cries and sounds
Of brutal struggle informed him before
he came 10 The place, that some deadly
battle was going on among the beasts
u the forest


He soon came in full view Of the
scene, and saDguinary one it was.
Four black panthers were ferociously
disputing the possession Of the carcass
Of the dead panther with two enormous
alligators. The object Of the combat.
anita on both sides appeared to be the
same, viz, to eat he carcass; and for
this both fought with bloody teuacisy,
alternately tugging at the bone Of con
teution BY way Of seeing how much
had been gained.


The panthsFs were superior in NUM-
bars, two to one; but the aligstors had
much the thicker amor, and could
tight with their tails as well as their
heads, so that the battle was pretty
nearly equal. One Of the big reptiles
had panther on his back, plying bis
flank fdFiously with his hind claws and
another was holding him by the fora
leg with jaws Ike Tiger, Wien be
succeeded in shaking Of bis savage as
sailspts his fore leg vas broken and
slit was made in bis side nearly through
the h.sb into his eutrails.


Mesatime the other alligator was
making frantic efforts to get tho third
panther into his mouth. He had near
y succeeded when with a tremendous
sWings The huge tail Of his fellow-saur-
ian knocked out the panther and wedg-
ed itself firmly between his Jaws The
teeth snapped together Ike pair of
copPermill shears, and so one Of the
tail-thrashiDg eombatants was minus bis
weapon.


The fourth panther, that had been
viciously busy with teeth and claws at
the throat of the curtailed reptile, now
redoubled his sattacks, aud, with the aid
Of the two others, in front and rear,
soon disabled him. The third panther,
owing to his PeFilous entrance and exit
through his enemy's jaws, was put
hOrs dS combat with broken back.


The fight was now between a single
alligator and the three remaining cat.
saVSges. One Of the thToe, however
was By this time badly damaged. Some
terrific stroke or bite had completely
sealped him, and the skin hung dowu
the side of his neck, tapping as he
fought. Another, apparently had a nib
broken, but did not seem to mind it.
The odds in the battle we're still rot 50
very great


Only the advantage Of eelerity was
vastly on the side Of the panthers, and
when the alHgatNr, with much difficulty,
succeeded in seizing one of them, he
was so slow about crushing his prey,
and made so much awkward mouthing
Of il, that be put himself almost at the
mercy Of his antagonists.


Still his powerful tail was free, and
the cat-like creatures in spuneiur
about to find his vulnerable points, were
not so spry but they took some stunning
cuffs from this caudal bludgeon. Be-
sides, during all the combat, the am
phibians had been working gradually
toward the water, and now the survivor
was almost at the edge.


Once in the lagoon and his enemies
would be powerless. The panthers
seemed to be sensible of this, and by an
artful movement both succeeded in get
ling st his throat while his mouth was
full A few seconds Of vigorous tug
ging aud tearing at the tenderer flesh
made the alligator's death-wonuds, and
be slid helplessly into the water


Two panthsrs seemed to claim tue VIC
ioy. But they had scarce strength
enough left TO snuff about the bodies OF
heir slain. Both we're much the worse
or wear; and the hunter lsYeled his
'ife and easily brought them down
With single shot apiece, after which
he took off their hides and the hides of
heir companions, and made his way
'aek to his ranch.


In an eyeutful life Of more than ten
7ears subsequently to this in frontier
OuntFies, he never saw anything in the
hape Of forest or Jungle tight that
ould compare with this combat be-
ween the Pauthers and alligat0rs.-
Youtks' Companion.


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