Year: 1875

Mr.. Elijah Pond, of the township of Ad-
ans, Michigan, had upon his farm large,
powerful and valuable bull, whose gener-
al reputation for propriety was bad, but
had always acknowledged the mastery of
Mr.. Pond. He had been a terror to the
help upon the farm, and had often hurried
out OF his neighborhood those who had oc-
casion to pass through the fields where he
was grazing. Mr.. Pond had frequently
urged his laborers not to run from the an
lmal. but to show no fear and he would
not dare to attack them, but they always
took the part of discretion and got out OF
the way.


One evening last week, Mr.. Pond had
Just finished milking his cows in the barn
yard, and was returning to the house with
full pail OF milk, when he had to pass by
this bull. He noticed that he shook his
head sullenly and looked vicious. But he
passed along, thinking nothing of it. He
had not proceeded far before he heard the
rapid step and low, moaning believing Of
the animal close by him. He turned to
catch the bulls horns with his hands, so
as to prevent his being gored, and was
tossed into the air. He came down, pail,
milk and all upon the animals head, and
was again thrown into the air, and as he
fell he struck upon the opposite side of the
fence He was somewhat bruised by the
rough handling and the fall, but being a
stout, muscular man, his impulse was to
chastise the insolent beast. Accordingly,
he secured a heavy club, which had been
a sled stake, and jumped over the fence
into the yard. He was met by the bull,
which. with horns poised, with head fixed
and stiffened neck, plunged at his unequal
adversary as he approached. Mr.. Pond
struck him terrific blow across his head.
splintering and breaking the cudgel, but
making no other impression upon his bull
ship except to infuriate him.


The combat was getting fearful. The
bull dashed upon Mr.. Pond. who, without
any means of defence, was in imminent,
deadly peril. He sprang aside, caught
the animal by one horn and one ear, and
endeavored to keep away from him. but
was shaken about like bundle of hay.
He lost his hold, and second time was
tossed high into the air, and fell beyond
the fence into the adjoining field. The
maddened animal rushed at the fence.
roared and beloved. but Mr.. Pond, un-
dismayed, determined to master the field.
He started to the house for his axe, and
would have split open the bulls head
rather than be conquered But on his
way he came upon a heavy three-tined
pitchfork. Selling this he started again
across the yard. More savage and more
desperate than before, the beast met him.
but Mr.. Pond stood his ground, and as
the bull approached he did not turn aside
but struck him full ip the face with the
sharp tines of the fork, expecting to turn
him back by the acute pain. But he was
mistaken. The animal rushed at him and
was bearing him against the fence, where
he would have crushed him like weed.
Mr. Pond saw his peril and threw him
self forward upon the neck and horns OF
the bull, and clinging to his neck, threw
up his feet SO as to avoid the fence.


In this predicament he was tossed and
flung about, and the fork was thrown
from his grasp. and finally he. too, was
unseated and fell over beside the animal.
Fortunately, in his fall his hand came up
on the fork, which he caught, and with a
full sense of the Importance of using his
power he thrust the strong fork again and
again into the side, flank and neck OF the
bull with all the force of his powerful
arms. The combat now waxed hot. The
heavy thrusts were quick and effective, and
as the tempered tines twanged from the
tough hide of the bull, the blood spurted
from the deep incisions. Nerved by des-
peration and pain Mr.. Pond kept up his
terrible warfare The animal failed in
every attempt to get him ON his horns.
Into his sides rained lightning shots OF
pointed steel. thicker. faster, deeper. The
contest grew unequal. The strong beast
beloved now with pain. He held his
head down for a moment, roared in utter
discontinue. and whiring upon his feet
ran believing down the yard.


Mr. Pond made his way to the house.
He was met at the door by his wife; he
was wet with perspiration. bespattered
with blood. lame and almost naked, but
so nerved by his spirit that after washing
and resting little time he went again to
the yard He had determined that there
should be but one master on the premises
and Notwithstanding the entreaties of his
wife, he did not hesitate to 60 on the bat
unaided He found his victory
complete. The conquered. cowed, hum
bled animal ran from him like whipped
spaniel The victory complete, the victor
found himself more injured than he at first
supposed, and it was several days before
he again left the room.