238 Wild Beasts 



siderable distance, bruised and breathless, although his 

 skin seemed to be too tough for the points to penetrate. 

 Once, however, I thought the bison's chance was all over, 

 for the tiger, by a lucky spring, managed to fasten on his 

 brawny shoulder, and I could hear the crunching sound of 

 his teeth meeting again and again in the flesh, while the 

 claws tore the flank like an iron rake. With a maddening 

 scream of mingled rage and pain, the bull flung himself 

 heavily on the ground, nearly crushing his nimble adver- 

 sary to death with his ponderous weight ; and the tiger, 

 breathless and reeling with exhaustion, endeavored to slink 

 away with his tail between his legs. But no respite, was 

 given, his relentless foe pursued with roars of vengeance, 

 and again rolled him over before he could regain his legs 

 to make another spring. The tiger, now fairly conquered, 

 endeavored to beat a retreat, but this the bison would not 

 allow. He rushed at him furiously over and over again; and 

 at last, getting him against a bank of earth, pounded him 

 with his forehead and horns until he lay motionless, when 

 he sprang with his whole weight upon him, striking him 

 with the forefeet, and displaying an agility I thought in- 

 compatible with his unwieldy appearance. 



" The combat, which had lasted over a couple of hours, 

 was now over, for the tiger, which we thought might be 

 only stunned, gave unmistakable signs of approaching dis- 

 solution. He lay gasping, his mouth half open, exposing 

 his rough tongue and massive yellow teeth. His eyes were 

 fixed, convulsive struggles drew up his limbs, a quiver 

 passed over his body, and all was still. His conqueror was 

 standing over him with heaving flanks, and crimsoned foam 



