Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-08-31

them only what IS practicable, and ask
eth only that which will rebound to
their everlasting happiness and peace.
90 mole II be. Dow, Jr.
WATCHING FOR TIGER.
The spot Iselected (says the writer
was the edge of tank where a tiger
used TO drink. There was large
tamarind tree on its banks, and here I |
took my post. A village shikaree ac-
companied me; and, soon after sunset,
we took up our position on a branch,
abouttwelve feet from the ground. II
should first mention that we fastened
an unfortunate bullock under the tree
for bait Well, we remained quiet
ly on our l,erch for couple of hours
without any thing stirring. 1t might
be eight o'clock, the moon had risen,
andso clear was the light thatwe could
see the jackalls at the distance of half
mile, sneaking along towards the vii
lage, when party Of Brinparries pass
ing by stopped to water their buliocks
at the tank. They loitered for some
time; and, becoming impatient, | got
off the tree with single rifle in nv
hand, and walked towards them, tell
ing them that was watching for a ii
| ger, upon which they started off imme-
diately. was sauntering back to my
post, never dreaming of danger, when
the shikaree gave low whistle, and
at the same moment growl rose from
some bushes between me and the tree.
To make my situation qnite decided,
| saw his (the shikaree's) black arm
t pointing nearly straight under him, OF
my side of his post. twas very evi
t dent that | could not regain the tree
although | was within twenty PAGES 0
: it. There was othing for it but Il
: drop behind bush, and leave the res
e to Providence. If [ had moved then, til,
u tiger would have had me to "a certainty
e besides, trusted to his killing the bull
y lock, and returning to the jungle a
soon as he had finished his supper. |
was terrible to hear the means of tn
: wretched bullock when the tiger ap
II preached. He would run to the ent
a OF his rope, making desperate efor
II to break it, and then lie down, shakin
: in every limb, and believing in tn
1t most piteous manner. The tiger say
e him plain enough; but suspectin
/ something wrong, he walked growlln
II around the tree, as if he did observ
If him. At last he made his fatal spring
with horrid shrek rather than roal
d | could hear the tortured bullock strug
= Cling under him, uttering faint erie:
u which becam more and more feebl
e every instant, and the heavy breathing
er half growl, half snort, of the monste
u as he hung to his neck sucking his Ii
re blood. know not what posses ed Il
v at this moment, but | could not resi-
< the temptation of shot. | crept I
~ softly within ten yards of him. ar
ls kneeling behind clump of dates, toe
% a deliberate aim at his mead, while
lay with his nose buried in the bu
er locks throat. He started with an a
ii CRY roar from the carcase when the bi
Oh hit him. He stood listening fora m
&c ment, then dropped in front ofme, |
us tering a sullen growl. There was n
Us thing but date bush between US;
ur had no weapon but my dashing rlf
gu | felt for my pistols--lhey had been i
en- on the tree. Then | knew my no
a was come, and all the sins of my /
es; flashed with dreadful distinctns
ng across my mind. muttered sht
ITO PRAYER, and tried to prepare for deaf
cid which seemed inevitable. But wi
as was my peon about all this time?
nd had the spare guns with him! Q,
'ct; | afterwards learned, he, poor fell
lp- was trying TO fire my double rifle;
cry all my locks have bolts, which he
ere not understand, and he could not CO
IN it. He was a good shikaree, a
oys knew that was my only chance;
'no when he could do no good, he did
uf- thing. IfMohadeen had been tie
en- he would soon have relieved me;
low I had sent him in another direct
the that day. Well, some minutes pas
% :, thus.
a The tiger made no attempt to CO
T har at me; lay of hope cheered me,
il -, might be dying.-I peeped through
,h l., branches. but my heart sank within
Una .ila' when his bright green eyes met M
~ and his hot breath absolutely blew
' as1, my face. | slipped back upon
rno. knees in despair, and a growl war
:, be me that even that slight movement
,law noticed. But why did he not att
! = me at once? A tiger Is a susplcl,
cowardly brute and will sela
! Il charge unless sees hisprey dsstln'
: E Now was quite concealed by the
: III leaves; and while | remained perl
molly quiet, / still had chance.