Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1829-06-24
From the Edinburg Literary Journal
THE TIGERS CAVE.

IL =
of the Authors of the "Odd Volume" of
Tales and Legends, &c"
On leaving the Indian village, we con-
6pued TO wind round Chimborazo's wide
base; but its snow crowned head no longer
shone above us in clear brilliancy, for
dense foo was gathering around it. Our
guides boxed anxiously towards II, and
announced their apprehensions Of a violent
storm. We soon found that their fears
were we'll founded. The fog rapidly COW
cred and obscured the whole of the noun
tain; the atmosphere was sutiOcahng, and
yet so humid tsat tine steel work of our
watches was covered with rust, and the
watches stopped. The river beside which
we were travelling, rshed down with shll
greater impetuosty; ant from the cliffs of
the rocks which lay on th6left of our path,
were suddenly precipltated small nyulets,
that bore the roots of trees aid innumera.
bic serpeBts along with then, These
lriyulets often came down so suddenly aud
violently that we had great difficulty in
preserving our footing. The thunder at
length began to roll, aud resound Though
the mountainous passes with the most
terrified grandchildren came the VIVID
! tightening, -hash followed ilash-aboye,
around, beneath, where sea OF
fire. We sought momentary shelter in
the cleft of the rocks, whilst one of our
guides fastened forward to seek a more
secure asylum. In a short time he re-
turned and informed US that he discovered
a spacious cavern, which would afford us
sufficient protection from the clements
We proceeded thither Immediately, and
with great difficulty and not little danger,
at last got into it.
The noise and raging ofthe storm con-
tinued with so much violence, that VIC
could not hear the sound OF our voices. |
had placed myself near the entrance ofthc
cave, and could observe, through the OPEN
ing, which was straight and narrow, the
singular scene without. The highest cedar
trees were struck down, or bent like reeds;
monkeys and parrots lay strcwcd upon the
ground, killed by the falling branches the
water had collected IN the path we had Just
passed, 81 hurried along It like mountain
stream. From every thing ] saw, ]
thought it extremely probable that we
should be Obliged 10 pass some days m the
cavern. When the storm. however. had
somewhat abated, our guides ventured out
in order to ascertain if it were possible to
continue our Journey. The cave IN which
we had taken refuge was so extremely
: dark, that if we moved few PAGES from
2 the entrance. we could not Sc an inch be-
fore us; and we were debating as 10 the
proprie,y of leaving even belor the Indians
came back, when we suddenly heard a sun
gular grooming or growing at the further
end Of the cavern, which instantly fixed
2 all our attention. Wharton and myself
listened anxlousy, but our daring and IN
considera,e young friend, Lincoln, togo'h-
er with my hunisman, crept about upon
D their hands and kuess, and endeayored 10
j discover, by cropping, from whence the
{ sound proceeded. They had not adyanc-
G ed far into the cavern before we heard them
otter an exclamation Of surprise; and they
, returned to US, each carrying IN hrs arms
. an animal singularly marked, and about The
S size ola cat, seemingly Of great strength
and powe. and furnished with immense
: fangs. The eyes were Of green color;
d and blood red tongue hung ont Of their
= mouths. Wharton had scarcely glanced
r at them. when he exclaimed IN consierna-
d ton, Good Godl we have come into TIC
J. den of a" -. lie was Interrupted by
s a fearful cry of dismay fsom our guides;
n who came rushing precipliately towards
S us. calling out. ga tiger tiger" and al
= the same time, with extraordinary rapidliy.
= they clrmed up cedar tree Which STOOD al
the entrance of the cave and bid them
o selves among the branches.
After the first sensation Of horror and
e surprise, which rendered me motionless
d Tor a moment, had subsided, grasped my
J; fire arms.
d Wharton had already regaiued his com
C posure aud self possession; and he called
d to ne to assist him instantly IA blocking
d up the muoth Of the cave with an immense
, stone which fortunately hy near il. Tho
sense Of approaching danger augmented
d our strength; for we now distinctly heard
r the growl Of the ferocious animal. and wo
e were lost BEYOND redemption If II reached
0 the entrance before we could close it,
:. Ere this was done, we could distinctly see
= the tiger bonding towards The spot, and
0 stopping in order to creep into bis den BY
{ the narrow opening. AT this fearful mo
: meut our exeriIons were successful, and
the great stone kept the wild beast al Bay.
+, There was a small open space, however,
I lett between the top OF the entrance and fho