Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-08-11
From Belts (London) Weekly Messenger.
Escape from Tiger IN India.
The following is an extract Of letter
from British officer 10 India.

The following is an extract Of "a letter
from British officer in India.
1t was after IA long days march of tif-
teen miles, across a country where with
difficulty an ancient road could be trac-
ed, and that made by deep ravines, cut
by the rains, with here and there upright
stones, that we arrived at a Jungle un-
usually swampy, which, from its size,
and the fatigued state Of the soldiers
aud cattle, | thought it prudent to defer
passing until morning. Ihad but just en-
tered my tent, and wrapped myself in
my boat cloak, with Il view TO doze a.
waythe rcmaiuing hour or two before
we broke up for another days march,
when the report of musket reused me.
| instantly started TO the entrance of my
tent, and was questioning the sentinel
who stood there, as TO the direction Of
the sound, when huge tiger. with
monstrous bounds, passed within u few
yards Of the spot where | was standing,
with one OF our brave fellows struggling
in his jaws. My sentinel immediately
fired at him but the agitation Of the
moment prevented his taking deadly
aim. The ball to all appearance struck
him, frcn the enormous bound he i'm
medately made, but only to Increase
his speed. We were, however enabled
10 follow him, by some blood that now
fell from him or his unhappy prey, and
had already entered the Jungle several
hundred yards, before we began TO des-
pair of finding the latter alive, and of
aiding his rescue. Judge of our horror
on hearing kind of su!!en growl or
roar, which made the hills echo still
more dreadful sound and the next mo.
mcnt, Of our joy, on being greeted with
hearty halIoo from our lost companion,
about fifty yards farther in the jungle
than we had penetrated. which was as
heartily returned by those who joined
me in the pursuit, aud in a few moments
more we met him limping towards us,
with as joyous a face as ever ! witness
ed.
The following account Of his escape
he afterwards committed 10 paper -"
was just coming down the jungle, where
had been taking some yictuaI3 TO my
bedteIlow, when heard a kind of rust
ling noise in some bushes about six or
seven yards behind me aud before
could turn round TO ascertain the cause,
was pounced upon and knocked down
with such force as 10 deprive me of my
senscs,till | arrived near your tent, when
Il Sudden report Of Il muslet, together
with kind Of twitchiug in my thigh,
brought me TO myself, and to the sense
OF the great danger in which was
but, nevertheless, | did not despair. !
now began to think of saving myself,and
though carried away very rapidly, felt
as well as saw, that your sentinel's ball,
instead of hitting the tiger struck me,
and that was losing blood very fast. |
remembered that my bayonet was in my
belt, and reflected, that if it was possible
tor me 10 draw il, might yet escape
the horrible death that awaited me.
with difficulty pat my arm back, and
found il, and several times attempted to
draw it from It's sheath, but from my
position, | was unable TO describe
the fear now felt would be impossible
i thought it was all over. At last
thank heaven after another attempt
with my utmost force, drew il out, and
instantly plunged it into his shoulder
lie bounded aside, and his eyes flashed
irlghtfulIy; he let me down and instantly
seized me again above the hip, which
at first prevented Inc from drawing my
BREATH now had from the change OF
position, a fair opportunity Of killing tho
monster, and saving my life. stabbed
him behind the shoulders several time:
as deeply as the bayonet would enter--
he staggered and fell, and again lei me
go, rolling several yards beyond me.
now thought myself safe and WIS get
ting up, when he rose, and with dread
tnl roar, again attempted 10 seize me
but again fell down and rolled close tc
my feet. ! now had the advantage Of 4
fallen enemy, which forgot not 10 turI
to the best account, and again PLUNGED
my bayonet into his sids--which, ! sup