BATTLE IN THE WILDS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1934, Page 3

BATTLE IN THE WILDS

BULL AND A CROCODILE defence of buffalo cow. RIVER MONSTER RETREATS. Sydney, May 5. An epic battle of the wilds is related by Mr. Harrison Ross, who .reached Mount Isa, Queensland, a day bj, two ago on his way south. Mr. Ross, who came overland from Perth, went up the Adelaide River about 150 miles from Darwin for crocodile shooting. He took an aborigine with him who had never been in that part of the country before. One morning before daybreak they secreted themselves in some bushes on the banks of the river where they had been told there were excellent chances of securing good crocodile specimens. At about sunrise the hunters heard a mob of buffaloes making for the water. As.the point at which they waited was just above tidal waters and there was a good stiff breeze blowing away from the herd, Mr. Ross’ chances of obtaining a good close-up of buffaloes were assured. Mr. Ross says that it was the first herd of buffaloes he had ever seen in a wild state. TERRIFIC COMMOTION. “As I appeared through." the bushes I saw great bulls with, a horn spread of fully Bft to 10ft. “The herd had watered, and the mob had left the river, excepting an old cow and calf. Jimmy, the aborigine, was very frightened and, unknown to me, was perched in a tree over my head. Suddenly there was a fear-inspiring commotion on the river bank, and I saw a huge crocodile hanging to the nose of the buffalo cow. The herd was standing about 50 yards away and instantly commenced‘to bellow madly, and the din, plus the muffled bellows of the struggling cow, was terrific. “I raised my heavy rifle and was about to settle the unequal contest, when the branch on which Jimmy was resting suddenly gave way, and he was precipitated on to my .back, the impact sending off my rifle. Owing to the uproar, the report was unnoticed by the buffaloes or the crocodile. “Quickly climbing a sapling, I saw a battle which is difficult to describe. The cow was being slowly but surely dragged toward the river, and the calf, which was paralysed with fear and unwilling to leave its mother, came within striking - distance of the crocodile’s lashing tail, and was swept off the bank and into the water, where it was quickly grabbed by a second crocodile, which made off down the river. CALF BLEATING PITEOUSLY.

“The calf was bleating piteously until the crocodile dived. Meanwhile the fight on the bank went on, but an old bull charged madly to the cow’s rescue, and, with his great ungainly horns, tried to life the crocodile on to his back.' “A dozen times the big horns ripped the tender side of the crocodile, but that tenacious monster hung on to his prey. With one of his immense horns hanging loose, the bull commenced to pound the crocodile with his hoofs, then several other bulls joined in the battle, and, wounded in a dozen places, the crocodile drew off and disappeared in the river. “Two days later I shot the crocodile, an 18-footer, whose newly-broken teeth and wounds clearly indicated the epic battle he had fought and lost.”