When the ram was within three feet of my companion, he thought that it was about time to make good his retreat, seeing that his opponent was disposed to be in earnest.

Mr. Brown started back suddenly, and then turned to dodge behind a tree where he could have laughed his enemy to scorn.  But unfortunately he was too late in making up his mind, and just as he turned, the ram struck him upon that portion of his body which presents the broadest basis, and in a twinkling over went my friend, as though shot from a mortar.

I could not, for the life of me, help laughing at the sight, and yet I was not disposed to interfere between them.  It was a fair fight, and I wanted to see it out.

I will give the ram the credit of acting in a fair and manly manner, for after he had floored his opponent, he stood perfectly still until Mr. Brown began to scramble up, and after he had gained his knees, the old fellow evidently labored under the impression that more work was cut for him.  With a fierce stamp the ram retreated a few feet, and then rushed on like lightning.  Mr. Brown was thrown headlong to the ground, and then he began to look upon the contest as one not to be despised.  I heard the click of his revolver, and I knew that his thoughts were deadly, but I resolved to save the life of so gallant an opponent.

“Don’t fire,” I shouted; “it is a pity to kill the old fellow for defending his wives.  How would you like it?”

“Call him off then, or d——­ his long horns, I’ll blow a hole through him large enough to take in a pack saddle,” cried Mr. Brown, still maintaining his recumbent attitude, as though no longer desirous of provoking a battle.

The task was not difficult.  Indeed the ram had grown so inflated with victory that he was ready to pitch into every thing living, and I had only to show myself and manifest a hostile attitude to accomplish my purpose.  The very first motion that I made with my head attracted his attention.  He turned from a fallen foe with disdain, and braced himself for a new conflict.  I made a second motion with my head suggestive of butting, and on he came, but I was prepared for him.  Springing nimbly aside, I let him strike the hard pack saddle with all his force, and the result did not disappoint me.  The saddle yielded, and over and over went the ram, until he picked himself up about two rods from the spot where I stood awaiting a renewal of the attack with much patience.

I did not have to wait long.  With a toss of his shaggy head the old fellow took deliberate aim, and came towards me.  I waited until he got under full headway, and then stepped behind a tree that my body had screened.  The crash was terrible.  The ram rebounded several paces, and rolled over and over, kicking violently, and when he did struggle to his feet he winked his eyes rapidly, as though afflicted with a headache of a violent nature.  For a few minutes we stood looking at each other in silence, and then the old patriarch wagged his tail slowly, and moved towards his wives, with rather a crestfallen appearance.