The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-02-03
A MAN AND TIGER COMBAT AT BOMBAY

The next scene was of far more awful charater
man entered the arena armed only with a Coorg
knife, and clothed in short trowsers, which barely
covered his hips, and extended half way down the
thighs. The instrument which he welded in his
right hand was heavy blade, something like the
coulter of plough, about two feet long, and full
three inches wide, gradually diminishing towards
the handle with which it formed a right-angle.
This knife is used with great dexery by the Coorgs;
being swung round in the hand before the blow is
inflicted aud then brought into contact with the OBJ
ject intended to be struck with a force and effect
truly astounding.
The champion who now presented himself before
the raJah was about to be opposed to tiger which
he volunteered to encounter almost naked, and un-
armed only with the weapon have just described.
lie was rather tall, with slight figure, but his
chest was deep, his arms long and muscular. His
legs were thin, yet the action of the muscles were
Perceptble with every movement; whilst the free
dom OF his gait and the low contortions he perform
ed preparatory to the hazardous enterprise with which
he was about to engage, showed that he possessed
uncommon activity, combined with no ordinary de-
gree OF strength. The expression of his counte-
nance was absolutely sublime when he gave the sig
nal for the tiger to be let lose was the very con.
centrasion of moral energy, the index of high and
settled resolution. His body glistened with the oil
which had been rubbed over it in order to promote
the elasticity of his limbs He raised his arms for
several moments above his head when he made the
motion to admit the enemy into the arear. The
bars of large cage instantly lifted from above
a huge royal tiger sprang forward aud stood before
the Corg, waving his tail slowly backward, erecting
the hair upon it, and uttering a suppressed howl.
The animal first looked at the man. then at the gal
lery where the raah and his were seated to see
the sports, but did not appear at all uneasy in its
present state of freedom it evidently confoun-
ded at the novelty of its position. After short sur
vcy it turned suddenly round and bounded into its
cage; from which the keeper who stood above, be-
yond the reach Of mischief, tried to force it but in
vain. The bars were then dropped, and several
crackers fastened to its TAIL which projected through
one of the intervals
lighted match was put into the hand of tho
Coorg, the bars were again raised, and crackers g-
nited. The tiger now darted into the arena with
terrible yell and while the crackers were exploding,
it leaped, turned and writhed rs if in a state of
frantic excitement. Ii Mt length crouched in cor
ner, snarling as a cat does when alarmed. Mean
while its retreat had been cut off by securing the
cage. During the explosions of the crackers, the
Coorg stood watching his enemy, and at length ad-
vanced towards it with slow but firm step.-The
tiger reused itself and rereated the fur on its back
being erect, and its tail apparently dilatcd to twice
the usual size. 1t was not at all disposed to COM
mence hostlites, but its resolute foe was not to be
evaded. Fixing his eyes intenty upon the deadly
creature he advanced with the same measured step,
the tiger retreatng BEFORE but still presenting his
front to its enemy. The Coorg now stopped sud-
denly; then moving slowly backward, the tiger
raised itself to its full height, curved its back to the
necessary segment for spring. and lashcd his tail,
evidently meditatihg mischief The man continued
TO retire and so soon he at great distance
that the fixed expression of his eye was no longer
the ferocious brute made sudden
bound forward, crouched, and sprung with short,
sharp growl Its adversary, fully prepared for this,
leaped actively on side, and the tiger reach
et the ground, swung round his heavy knife, and
brought it with irresistible force upon the animals
hind leg, just above the joint. The bone was in
severed, and the tiger effectuay prevented
from making second spring. The wounded beast
roared; but turning suddenly upon the Ceorg who
had by this time retired several yards, advanced
fercely upon him, his wounded leg hanging loose
in the skin, showing that it was broken. The tiger,
now excited to pitch of rage, rushed forward upon
its three legs towards its adversary, who stood with
his heavy knife upraised, calmly awaiting the en-
counter. As soon rs the savage creature was with
in reach, he brought down the ponderous weapon
upon his head, with force which nothing could re-
sist, laid open the skull from ear to ear and the van
quished foe fell dead at his feet. He cody wiped
the knife on the animals hide made dignfcd sa-
laan to the rajah and retired amid the loud accla-
nations of the spectators.