Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-10-31

itely rose and answered it with a mournful
howl. At the same instant, our Indians
uttered shrek, which announced that
some new danger threatened US. A few I
confirmed our worst fears, for
another tiger. not quite so large as the for
mer, came rapidly towards the spot where
we were.
This enemy will prove more cruel than
The other,' said Wharton, for this is fhe
female, and she knows no pity for those
who deprive her of her young
The howis which the tigress gave, when
she had examined the bodies of her cubs.
surpassed everything of the horrible that
we had yet heard, and the tiger mingled
his mournful cries with hers. Suddenly
her roaring was lowered TO a hoarse growl
ing, and We saw her anxiously stretch out
her head, extend her wide nostriIs, and
loo k as if she were determined to discover
Immediately the murderers of her young
Her eyes quickly fell upon us, and she
made spring forward with the intention
of penetrating to our place of refuge. Per
haps she might have been enabled. by her
immense strength, to push away the stone,
mad we not with all our united power, held
it against her. When she found that all
her efforts were fruitless, she approached
the tiger, who lay stretched beside his
cubs, and he rose ard joined her hollow
roarings. They stood together for few
moments, as if in consultation, and then
suddenly went of at rapid pace, and dis
appeared from Our sight. Their bowling
died away in the distance, and then entire
ly ceased. We now began 10 entertain
better hopes of our condition, but u harton
shook his head. Do not fatter your
selves, said he, wi h The belief that these
animals will let US escape out of their sight,
till they have had their revenge. The
hours we have to live are numbered =
Nevertheless, there still appeared
chance of our rescue, for, to our surprise.
we saw both of our Indians standing be-
fore the entrance, and heard them call to
us to seize the only possibility Of our yet
saving ourselves by instant flight, for that
tigers had only gone around the height to
seek another inle! to the cave, with which
they were no doub! acquainted. In the
greatest haste the stone was pushed aside.
and we stepped forth from what we had
considered living grave. Wharton was
the last who left it; he was unwilling 10
lose his doublebarEelled gun. and stopped
to take it up. The rest of US thought only
Of making our escape. We now heard
once more the roar of tigers, though at a
distance, and following the example Of our
guides, we preclpita!eIy struck into side
path. From the number Of roots and
branches of trees with whicb the storm had
strewn our way, and the slipperiness OF
the road, our aight was slow aud difficult.
Wharton, though an active seaman, had a
heavy step, and great difficulty in keeping
pace with US, and we were often obliged
to slacken our own on his account.
We had proceeded thus for about quar-.
ter of All hour, when we found that oul
way led along the edge of rocky cliff.
mith inntmerable assures. We had jus
entered upon it, when suddenly the Indi
ans uttered one of their piercing shreks
and me Immediately became aware that the
tigers were in pursuit of US. Urged by
despair, we rushed towards one of the
breaks, or CULTS, in cur way, over which
) was thrown a bridge of reeds, that spran!
; up and down at every step, and could b.
trod with safety by the light foot of the In
dian alone. Deep in the hollow below
) rushed an lmpetuous stream, and thous
) and pointed and Jaggered rocks threatene'
destruction on every side. Lincoln, m.
; huntsnan, and myself, passed over tn
chasm in safety, but Wharton was still il
: the middle of tie waving bridge and en-
deavoring to steady himself, when bot
lhe tigers were seen to issue from tn
adjoining forest; and the moment they de
2 scrled us, they bounded towards us viii
: dreadful roarings. Meanwhile, Wharto
: had nearly gained the side of the gulf, an
t we were clambering up the ROCKY cliff, ez
: cep. LincoIn, who remained at the reed
| bridge to assist his friend to step upon fri
: ground. Wharton, though the feroeiou
animals were close upon him, never 10:
e his courage or presence of mind. As 500
$ as he had gained the edge Of the cliff, Ii
-1kneIt down, and with his sword divide
d the fastenings by which the bridge was
e tached to the rock. He expected that a
e effectual carrier would thus be put to tn
S farther progress of our pursuers but h
It was mistaken; for he had scarcely accom-
e plished his task, when the tigress, witho,
h moments pause, rushed towards tn
a chasm, and attempted TO bound over it.
), 1t was fearful sight to see The might
d animal suspended for moment IN the