A BULL V. LION FIGHT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11625, 14 September 1899, Page 1

A BULL V. LION FIGHT.

Tiie good people of Itoupaix, in the north of Frauce, celebrated National Fete Day a few week* weeks ago in a peculiarly atrocious manner. The programme of amusement iucluded a round of bullfighting, and " a grand wind-op " in the shape of an encounter between a huge lion, " Goliath," and a Spanish bull, the contestants being put together in a la r ga cage. The result was most disappointing to the spectators, for .Goliath, born and reared in captivity, proved a cowardly brute. He " roared splendidly," but the shouts of the bloodthirsty spectators and the mad rush of the goaded bull cowed him completely. The first encounter waa decisive. The bull gored the lion's flmk terribly, and in the madness of pain, Goliath bit off the bull's ear. But that was his only attempt at reprisals, for next moment he was rolling on the ground, bleeding profusely and groaning with agony. Meanwhile, the bull stood with rtady head, awaiting the lion's next move. When it came it was a desperate attempt to get anywhere out of the range of the toro's terrible horns. To do so, Goliath tried to climb the bars of the cage, and as he rose the bull charged again, dtiving hi' 3 horns into the hapless lion's mouth. The wou^Jed brute bit savagely on the horn, abd scored on the bull's thick neck witfi a blow of his paw. • But ib was a last effort, for as the bull drew off for another charge Goliath rolled over in the last throes. Tn vain did the Chulos try to irritate the poor beaßt into a final effort, in vain they tried to make the bull chargo once again. He would not touch the inert tawny mass, and Leo gave up the ghost, whilst 14,000 presumably civilised beings, cheered the victor and heaped maledictions on the vanquished. So fa*, the authorities do not appear to have taken any action against the promoters of this inhuman show, and further lion v. bull fights are on the tapis. Bidel, the menagerie man, has offered to pit one of bis lions against two of Mazzantiui's besb Spanish bulls. The toreador, on his side, says he will match one toro against two lions or tigers for £1000.