The native American., 1838-04-14
From BlackaOood's Magasine.
A THRILLING SCENE.

- ~ ~ II 1 IN " " Il IN
- had never before seen any thing in the
shape oi nger, and was struck dumb with as
Ioii'i'i'onU-hot SO my poor little Moor boy
nc was 'le son OF famous Shikaree, and be-
llieve he had never seen a tioer anv more tban
myself; he had often heard his father taIL &c
his exploits among the wild beasts of the forest.
he knew me to be Griffin, and his little heart
swelled with the proud consciousness of SUPERIOR
knowledge IN woodcralt. Suppose master please
said ne, drawing himself up and assuming an air
OF much importance, Il show Sahib how TO xiii
that tiger; know very well burrah Shikar busi
ness. In my simplicity looked upon the daring
little imp who talked thus confidently of killing
panther, with degree of respect almost amount
ing to awe, and without hesitation put myself un-
der his guidance. According to his directionsA
extracted the shot from my gun, and loaded It
with some bullets which ] happened to have in
my pocket. Now then,' exclaimed my young
Shikaree he placed me behind the shelter of
large stone directly in the front of the cave; now
then, ] show Sahib how to make tiger come
Sahib make tiger eat plenty balls; that proper
Shikar business So saying, he marched di-
recty up to the entrance of the cave and began to
pelt the tiger with stones, abusing him at the
same time in choice Hindostanee slang. Sure
enough, this did make tiger come with ven
geance. The enraged brute, uttering shrill roar,
darted from the cave, seized the boy by the back
of the neck, threw him over his shoulders, and
dashed down the hill like thunderbot. My
blood curded at the sight, but indisnctly fred,
and suppose hit the beast, for he instantly drop
ped the boy, who rolled into dark ravine at the
foot of the hill. The panther having disappear
ed in neighboring jungle, | descended into the
ravine, to look after poor little Kheder.' There
he lay weltering in blood, dreadfully mangled,
and evidently in dying state, but still quite SEN
Isible. The gallant little fellow never uttered
complaint but fixing his large black eyes steadily
OH my countenance, as if he could there read his
fate, asked in faint tone of voice for some water
was STOPPING down to collect some in my hat,
when was startled by surly growl, andthe noise
of some animal snuffing amongst the hrushwood,
which closed over my head and almost excluded
the light of day; it was the panther, who had re-
turned NV first impulse was to fly, and leave
the boy to his fate. But poor Kheder,' seeing
my intention, fixed his CLASSY eyes upon me
with an imploring look which cut me to the heart,
and made me blush for very shame. Kneeling by
his side, raised his head, wiped the bloody froth
from his parched lips, and poured few drops of
water down his throat. This appeared to revive
him. You have not killed the tiger, Sahib,'
speaking in Hindostanee; i am sorry for that;
should have liked to have sent his skin to my
father. But you will tell him, Sahb, that died
like Shlkaree. not afraid Of the tiger; l.
never cried out when l felt his teeth crunching
through my bones! No! struck my knife in
him twice. See! that is tigers bloodv and his
glaring eyes flashed wildly for moment as he
held up bloody knife, which he cutched firmly
in his right hand. Father will be proud to hear
this But my mother will cry very much, and her
heart will turn to water when she hears that / am
dead And here, for the first time, the hot tears
began to trickle down his cheeks For few
minutes he remained motioness, with his ewes
closed, and big drops stealing slowly and silently
through the long silken eyelashes. But suddenly
starting up, with his eyes bursting from their
sockets, and gasping painfully for breath. he
screamed as if in fit Of delirum, The tiger has
seized me again! save me Sahib, save mel cried
he in hoarse voice; i feel his teeth in my
throat! my breath is stopped! ah! ah!' he gaspcd
| like person drowning-his eyes turned in his
head till nothing but the white visble-his
Jaws became firmly locked-a cold shudder ran
through his limbs, and the gallant little .Kheder
fell back in my arms stffened corpse. was
young then, and unused to death, and that scene
has made an impression my mind which will
never be obliterated. All this time the panther
continued to pace up and down the edge Of the
ravine, nearly on level with my head, growl-
ing fearfully, and anon poking his snout into
the bushes, and snuffing at if debating with
i himself, whether or not he should jump down.