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

vested OF every strip Of clothes except their
small langontes,, (the very smallest rag
which decency requires,) hastend to meet
him, and warn him of the many pitfalls
around him. From these men he learnt
that their only occupation was that Of dig
ging holes, RESEMBLING human gravrs, about
eight feet deep, which they covered with
small branches OF trees and brushwood.-
By these means they ensnared the wild
animals, who unconcious of the trap thus
artfully set, would often tread on the
seeming firm ground, and in the next in
slant find themselve prisoners at the mer-
cy Of their captors, who instantly despatc.
ed them, selling the skins of some, and
claiming from the authorities the price set
upon every tigers head. Oi these ami.
mails they had captured about twenty dur
ing the preceding twelve months. Two
of their party, it is true, had been destroy
ed by these ferocious beasts, but as the
natives considered that il must have been
their nusseed (pre ordained fate.) they
appeared little affected by the circum-
stance. II was now late in the day; SO de-
slreing to 60 and fetch his sleeping mats,
he determined OH remaining in one of
these hu,s for the night, as they promised
him, in this case, that at break of day
they would point out some splendid sport
to him. To obtain what they DESERT ed,
he would willingly have gone round half
the world, so he unhesita,ingly accepted
their offer, and determined on passing the
night there.
After partaking Of some rice and ghee,
having cleaned his gun one barrel Of
which he always charged with ball, the
other with shot and arranged his ammu
milton and shooting apparatus for the toll
lowing morning: Tin places where we have
few companions to divert us, this is half
the SPORTY he laid down 10 rest. taking
care, however, to bsr the door as we'll as
he could, for he rather disGked We mamie N
of one of the villagers, and already be-
lgan to repent that he had thus left himself
so implicitly in their power. His ser
wants, whom he now regretted not having
brought with him, were full half mile
off. The feT natives around him were
strong, ath etc men, accustomed 10 strug.
gle with wild beasts, and almost as ero-
cious in their natures as the animals they
were in the habit Of hunting At liberty
to change from spot TO spot, enabled in the
Businesses ofthe Bundlekunds to elude the
most dilgent search, proverbially avari-
cious. thinking little of the sacrifice Of
life, why should not these men fall on him
and murder him? He had fooIishly dis
played his purse TO them, filled with re-
bees, and had vaunted the goodness of his
gun, an object to them more precious than
gold itself. What then was to prevent
their making themselves masters of all
these? Nothing. He felt this, and re-
volving it in his mind, fell into light I'm
easy slumber.
Ii must have been about one o'clock in
the morning when he was awakened by
hearing several voices conversing in sup:
pressed tones close to the little window of
the hut, which was i'll blocked up by n Gus
kos tattiC "a blind or shutter made of dry
grassy Mactavish steaIthiIy crept to
wards it, and to his utter CONSERVATION,
heard Them thus explain their blood thrs-
ty intention;
'How long, demanded a strange voice,
lis il since you got him in'
Just before nightlaIl.'
Have you since listened, to ascertain
ifhe is stirringl'
q have, and suspect he is fast asleep
Then this is the best time to fall on
him. But as you say he is powerful, we
had better 60 prudently to work. How do
you propose to attack him.?
Il think replied one of the Entertainers.
the best way will be TO fire at him through
the crevaces with poisoned arrows
'But suppose he burst forth
'Oh! then we'll despatch him with our
knives
Have you got them with you?
'Not YET
'Well, then, be quick, said the appar-
ent leader, 'be off and fetch them, and
we'll get the job over as soon as possible.
I'll return in five minutes;' and Mactav-
ish heard them suddenly 60 off in differ.
ent directions.
With painting heart, Mac. listened as
their footsteps died away; and Selling his
gun, he determined to endeavor 10 escape,
or at all events, to sell his life as dearly
as possible in the open air, whence the
recort ofhis fowlng piece might be heard
by those on board his budgerow. In an
other instant, he was out Of the door, and
whit the speed of lightning, he started off
in the direction "a, least SO he supposedly
of the place of anchorage, where his boat
was lying.
The moon was brightly shining as poor
Arthur rushed along, needless ofany dan.
ger but that Of being followed by the in