The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-02-02
PRESENCE OF MIND.

| III,
the civil and military officers belonging TO
the station oil. agreed 10 make shoot
ing excursion in the vicinity of Agra and
gave ocrnslon 10 an animated scene. A
convenient spot had been selected for the
tents, beneath the spreading branches Of a
hinge banan; pearorks gittered in the sun
upon the lower houghs, and troops of mon
Keys grlnned and chaitered above. With
IN the circle of the camp lively srene was
passlng.-fires blazed in every quarter, and
snnGry operations of roasting, boiling and
Trying were gong on in the open mir. The
vast number OF persnns-the noise, busle,
and many fires abnnt the camp, precluded
everv idea of 'innger and the gentlemen
of the party, collected together in front of
the tents, conversed carelessly with each
other, nr amused themselves with looking
about them. While thus indolently begnil-
ing the few minutes which had to elapse
before they were summoned TO dinner a
fnll grown tiger, of The largest size, sprang
suddenly into the centre of the group. Eez-
ed one of the party in his extended Jaws,
and horc him away into the wood with
rapldity which defie'l pursuit. The lont!
ontrIics, raised by those persons whose fac
nltles were not entirely paralyzed by terror
and CONSERVATION, only served to increase
the tigers speed. Though scarcely mo-
ment had elapsed, not u trace of the ami
nal remained. so impenetrnhle was the
thickrt through which lie had re,rea:ed;
Int. Notwithstanding the apparent hopeless
ness OF the case, no means whirh hHman
prudence could suggest was left untried.
Torches were Instantly collected, weapons
hastily snatchcd up, and the whole PARTY
rushed INTO the forest; some beating tine
bushes on every side. while others pressed
their way through the tangled underwood,
IN state OF anxiety incapable of desrrip-
ton. The virtiIn seleried by the tiger was
an officer whose presence of mind and
daunless courage, in the midst Of this most
appalling danger, providentially enabled
hlm to meet the eXigenries of his situation
Neither the anguish which he endured from
the wounds already inflicted, the horrible
manner in which he was hurried along
through bush and brake, and the prospect
so Immediately before him of dreadful
death, snbdued the frmness of his spirit;
and meditating with the utmost GOODNESS.
upon the readiest means of efferting his
own delIverance, he proceeded cautiously
TO make the attempt.
he wore Il brace of pistols in his belt.
and the tiger having seized him hy the
waist, his arms were consequently left mt
liberty. Applying his hand to the monsters
Shie. Ire nroc:taiDcr! thr cxarI position Of
The heart; then drawing out one of the pis-
tolls he plncPd the muzzle close to the part
and hired: Perhaps, some slight ire NOR in
MS own myers, or jerk occnsioned hy the
rough road and iTisk pace of the animal
canseh me bhll to miss its aim, and tight
er grippe and an accelerated trot, alone an
nounced the wound he had received. A
moment of inexpressille anxiety ensued
yet, undisnayed by the i'll success of his
effort though painfully aware that he now
now possessed only single chanrc for life,
the heroic individual prepared with more
careful dellteration to make fresh ATTEMPT.
lie felt for the pulsations of his heart ~
second time, placed his remaining pistol
firmly against the vital part, and drew the
trigger with steadier hand, aud with mic
er precisions. The jaws suddenly relaxed
their grasp. and the the tiger dropped dead
beneath his burden The triumph of the
victor, as he surveyed the lifeless body of
the animal stretched upon the ground was
somewhat suIHlued by the loss Of blood and
the pain of his wounds. He WIS uncertain.
too whether his failing strength would en-
able him TO reach the camp, even if he
could he certain of finding the way to it !;
bnt his anxiety upon this point was speedily
ended hy the shouts whirh met his ear, of
his friends searching Cor him. He stagrer-
ed onward in the direction whence the
sounds proceeded, and issued from the
thicket covered with blood and exhausted,
hut free from wounds of mortal nature.