The door was flung back, and a noble bull dashed into the ring l with = that impetous rush which is so fine. He galloped wildly round the ring once or twice apparently astonished at finding nothing to encounter, and then took up his position in the centre of the arena, pawing and shaking his curly black locks over his small stag-like muzzle. A door facing him was then opened, and the tiger was let out. It was very singular to remark the different way that the tiger came out of his den ; no wild rush or roar, but sneaking out of his cell he crept close to the barrier, and crouching against it looked with half-closed eyes at his enemy. The bull, directly he saw him, gave one or two wild snorts, full of vigour and passion, and backed a few paces He did not seem afraid, but conscious he •was in the presence of a dangerous enemy, not to be trifled with ; so they continued gazing at each other for seconds. Presently the tiger seemed to crouch gradually lower and lower, till he lay literally ventre a terre, and commenced dragging himself paw by paw nearer to the bull. He in his turn retreated two or three steps, and then stood still awaiting the event—no movement but an occasional petulant shake of his head, and a slight noise like a deep sigh. You might have heard a pin drop in the plaza, so intense was the excitement as inch by inch the tiger drew near. Suddenly, in a moment he seemed to double himself into a hall, and then fly out like a piece of watch-spring, but with no roar—in perfect silence he sprang ! A wild furious snort on the bull’s part as he met him, and we saw him receive the tiger full on his horns ; for an instant one claw hung on the bull’s glossy shoulder, and then he fell a corpse on the sand for the bull’s horns penetrated the chest and heart. The conqueror sniffed once or twice at the body, made a plunge at it, and then cantered round the ring, as if aware of the gallant feat he had accomplished.
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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1024, 8 May 1869, Page 3
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367Untitled Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1024, 8 May 1869, Page 3
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