ACEOSS THE SUB-AECTICS OF CANADA 



pany congenial for a sufficiently long period to admit of tlie 

 operation being successfully performed. 



On one occasion, when I was encamped with two Indians 

 on a bank of the Thelon Eiver, I witnessed upon the opposite 

 bank a most interesting combat between two large bulls — a 

 third being present and acting as referee. 



The combatants operated on the sandy flats of the river, 

 whilst the third refereed the fight from the bank at the edge 

 of the woods. The method of fighting was precisely that of 

 two buck sheep. Standing head to head, they each walked 

 backwards for ten or fifteen yards, and then, making a rush 

 at each other, their skulls came together in violent contact, 

 and this was repeated again and again, imtil one of the fiiries 

 staggered under the blow of his opponent and showed signs 

 of weakening. A pause was then made and, apparently by 

 mutual consent, the two walked down to the river's brink and 

 refreshed themselves with the cool water. After imbibing 

 to their satisfaction they returned to the positions they had 

 previously occupied, and resumed the combat as before, strik- 

 ing each other most terrific blows, the concussions of which, 

 from where I stood, sounded like those of two heavy sticks 

 of timber poimding together. Again the weaker of the bulls 

 staggered and almost fell, and as he faltered his victor thrust 

 him forcibly to one side and endeavored to gore him with 

 his sharp, upturned horns. Eefusing to acknowledge defeat, 

 after a brief interval of rest the battle was resumed, but at 

 every blow the weaker animal was worsted. Finally he was 

 literally pounded out of the ring and left in a condition more 

 dead than alive. The victorious bull and the referee then 

 retired together. 



112 



