FIGHT WITH A WILD CAT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 108, 21 April 1911, Page 3

FIGHT WITH A WILD CAT.

From Sassari, in Sardinia, the I Alessaggere (Rome) has received an extraordinary story of a fight between a wild cat and a peasant, which nearly had a fatal termination. It appears that a certain Nicolo Demartis on returning home from his daily labour in the fields, was annoyed to find his frugal store of cheese, bacon and meat constantly diminished. Although he carefully secured the door of his

humble habitation the thefts continued, yet there was nothing to show that the place had been entered. Finally he resolved to get to the bottom of the mystery and, I arming himself with a gun. he hid himself in a clump of bushes not far distant from his dwelling. Demartis had not long to wait before he perceived an enormous wild cat approach his cabin, and I disappear through the only window. ! He left his hiding place, and, cautj iously opening the door, found the animal devouring his provisions.

To aim and fire was the work of a second, and the beast fell to the ground. It was up again in a moment, and, springing at the peasant’s throaat, bit at him and tore' him ferociously with its claws. After a long struggle Demartis managed to free himself frotn the infuriated beast, which he finally killed with a blow on the head from the butt of his gun. I-'nfortunately, however, the second barrel of the gun was exploded and the charge entered the peasant s thigh wounding him severely. Other peasants who were attracted by the reports carried him to hospital. where he now lies in a serious condition, caused not so much by the shot wounds as by the terrible lacerations inflicted upon him by the larcenous wuld cat.