Year: 1873

The~ challenger advanced from the herd to within some four feet, getting angrier and angrier as he came. Sud denly there was 8 crash that had in it something Homeric. One rattling on- set of that kind leaves one in no doubt as to why the short, strong horns of the buffaloes have a splintered appearance at the apices. Then there was a long, steady push, in which every tendon of the huge bodies of the buffaloes was strained to the utmost. Then there was strategic easing off, then a sud- den gladiatorial thrust, which pressed the huge heads to the ground in an even balance of strength. Neither beast dared relax muscle or retreat an inch, for fear of that fatal charge upon the flank, or that dangerous twist of the neck, which means defeat.

 A momentary relaxation of the tre- nendous strain only resulted in the shaggy heads coming together again with dull thump, and renewal of the dogged pushing which might have moved freight train. It was a matter of lungs and endurance, and the white froth began to drop in long, tenacious strings from their lips, and the red eyes to glare dimly through what seemed clots of blood. could hear the labored breathing where lay, and see the ten dons stand out across the thighs and along the thick necks.

 But this dead set of strength could not last always. Every moment of time was telling gdisastrously upon the shorter wind and decaying strength of the old crusader, who still fought for the loves of eli the intelligence of this slight disaster seemed to reach his antagonist quicker than flash of light. No gladiator ever urged his advantage more sudden ly. There was huge lunge, sound of horns slipping upon each other, a spring forward, and the horn of the younger bull had made a raking up- ward stroke through his antagonist's s flank. The fight now became brisk. Again and again the old one turned and tried to make the old stand of head to head, and as often his more active an- tagonist caught him behind the shoul- der. With the red agony of defeat in his eye, and the blood trickling from the long wounds in his Hanks, he still refused to be conquered. With failing strength and limbs, which refused any longer to serve him, he finally stood at bay, with open mouth and hanging tongue, unable to fight and disdaining to retreat. His antagonist pushed him, and he yielded doggedly. He made no attempt to shield his flank, and pitt fully endured all that came. The origi- nal plan of non-interference was aban- doned, and the young lords gathered around him, and snorted and shook their heads, and gave him an occasional dig in the ribs by way of expressing their contempt for him. The cows came and snuffed at him, and indulged in spiteful feminine butts and walked away. Their manner implied that they had always regarded him as @ disagree able old huff, and they were glad he finally understood their heartfelt senti- ments in regard to him.

 Through all this the old fellow stood unresisting, whipped, but still obsti- nate. Gradually they all left him to himself, and the herd wandered further away. He did not even look around ; he was probably forced at last to accept his sentence of banishment, and go and live as long as he could alone, and fight his last fight with the coyotes and die.