Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-08-19

beast of prey. A savage growl accomPa-
MED with peculiar cailike, kissing noise,
a pair ofaashing eyes, cleaning brightly
even through the darkness, at once told
the unfortunate fugitive that tiger was
springing after him. Poor Mactavish
gave himself up as lost. For about twen-
~ yards he kept ahead of his fearful Pur.
suer. Another bound, however, would
place in his power--he had no time even
TO offer up prayer. He gave one spring
in despairing energy, and as he did so, he
lelt violent shock; bright sparks OF fire
appeared to flash from his eyes; every
joint seemed dislocated. Arthur had ia'-
len into one Of the pitfalls, over which,
as he fell, the tiger leaped safely.
Relieved for the moment of his fears,
Mactavish now ventured to look up. BY
the light of the moon, which shone bright
ly he perceived the tiger crouchIng down
at the edge of the pit, watching with saw
age wakefulness the wretched being he
evidently seemed to think now within his
power. His clearing eyes were steadily
fxed on his victim, who crouched down
as low as possible, 10 be out of the reach
of the monsters destructive paw.
AS Mactav;sh's eyesight began to get
accustomed to the place, he perceived to
his horror long black snake attempting
to crawl up the sides. Foi'ed in this, the
serpent seemed TO hesitate whether he
would renew his endcavors to escape or
turn upon the intruder, who now It lrem.
bling before him. At last il seemed to de-
termine on The latter: for il suddenly be-
gan to rear itself, and fixing its eyes which
seemed to be OF fire, upon poor Mac. pre-
pared to spring. Arthur started up. AS
he did so, he suddenly felt the flesh torn
from his shoulder, which he had unthiuk.
ingly exposed 10 the claws Of the tiger, by
raising himself within reach Of his out,
stretched limb. The animal in making
TIT, Rox emeni bad disturbed the branches
at the edge OF the trap. The gun had
dropped through, and now fell into the pit
at the feet of Mectavish. who bleeding
and in agony, had yet sufficient presence
of mind enough to catch it up, and in
stan'ly discharging It, destroyed the ser.
pent as il kept moving about preparatory
tots final dart. The report seemed to
render the tiger more ferocious, who now
even attempted TO creep down into the
trap. Poor Arthur began seriously to
consider whether it we're not better to
yield himself up TO the jaws of the animal
han TO remain to die lingering death by
starvation in this living grave. His head
receled desperation seemed almost about
to drive him TO madness. Well he knew
that the snakes mate would probab bly, ere
long return to its consort. Alread the
earth began to crumble down under the
scrapihg paws OF the impatient tiger
Human nature could last little longer,
when suddenly dying roar is heard; the
savage animal turns over in the agonies
of death, trans6xed by several poisoned
arrows. Ia another moment poor Mac
tavish's late host and his friends appear,
and lift him out of the pit. They shout
with Joy at again seeing him safe. They
welcome him, and express their delight
at saving him. What then could their
conduct mean! The mystery
was soon cleared up; as they conducted
Arthur back TO his bugerow, they explain
ed to him that they had been engaged in
destroying leopard which had fallen in
to one of their pitfalls, and about which
they were conversing wheE he overheard
them. They we're returning from this
expedition when they heard the report of
his gun, and rushing TO the spot whence
The sound had proceeded, had happily sue
ceeded, as have related, in saving him,
and restoring him TO the service, in which
he has since risen to high rank and honors.
An Anecdote.-General Morris, of the
New Mirror, relates the following anec-
1ote in relation to Mr.. Preserved Fish:
"This gentleman, in early life, was
sea captain. One day his vessel was
hailed by brig, when the following dia-
logue took place--"Ship ahoy!" 'Hallo!'
% Who's your captain 7" preserved
FISH" "WhoY" preserved Fish" The
master of the brig, thinking he was misun'
derstood, and wondering at the stupidity
Of the opposite party, again applied the
trumpet TO his mouth and bawled out-"l
say, mister, don't want to know what your
cargo Is; but what's your captains
l.a-m-e?"
From the Alabama Tribune.