The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-06-03
"FIGtII'ING THE TIGER"
BY THUNDER.

ing tuc tScI uycuI VI TWO dSO Ill Ald-
bama2 If any one hasn't heard that
story, he'd better plaster his hair to his
head, and sew his coat to his skin for,
cuss me if it isn't enough 10 frightcn q
man out Of his senses.
"Well Some time long in the month
of July, Sal came to me one day, and
says she to me--says she-Joe,-I
want some bar meat, and l guess that
you had better cut right out and get me
some. Now, you must recollcct, lclIcrs,
that Sal was sortcr sick about that time,
and used to take the darndest cr;,nllest
kind Of notions in her head that ever
heard OF. But, however, slung cold
Belly" over my shoulder, and sat out
in full chaisc Of the only bear that we
had heard Of in that neck Of the woods
during the. summer. A long, and
hot, and wearisomc tramp had but
luck was with me, J. finally brought
"old Bellzy" to a level on him, and Just
laid him out as slick as ever you saw ii
coon cousc Il dog. Little time elapsed
before he was regularly cleanscd, while
made break for home, as was tired,
hot and hungry. The tramp was
long one; and tho load none OF the light
est, and | soon grew faint and sick, un-
der the heat Of the sun Casting about
for spot upon which to rest until the
cool ofthc evening" soon found quiet
nook under the shade OF /, cluster Of
vines, to which took IN especial liking
Hanging my game to the branch Of u
neighboring tree. md resting nv gun
by its side, retired to this inviting spot,
and was quick y in land where uneas-
mess is not felt. How long slept it is
impossible TO say but tile nap general
ly. was sweet and refreshing one, and
might have lasted much longer, if | had
not been disturbed by Shiny and COM
pressing sensation about my throat TO.
gether with a feeling that something
was passing over my face which was
not every way pleasant to me. Twas not
thoroughly disturbed yet 1 felt my stu
alton becoming more and more unplca-
SAINT, and' in u dreamy listlessness, ape
ned my eyes to sec what was going on,
when-mercy on me! found an enor-
nous snake (wcll known in that region
as the Racer, had wound himself about
my neck, and was bobbling his nasty
head back and forth upon my face.
while his horrible tongue was playing
like lightning upon my features! With
a yell OF horror, l sprung to my feet
Fortunately, my presence of mind did
not leave me, and bethought myself at
once Of my knife. Quietly drawing it
from my belt. managed to pass it be-
tween my throat and the snake, until |
was sure that its point had reached be-
yond the widest fold then with sud-
den movement, turned the back to my
skin, the blade to my enemy, and, with
vigorous thrust of my wrist, he was
laying powerless about my feet. Be-
fore l had time to recover from my a.
larm, [ looked, and, mercy againl I
found a grander horror upon me! Drawn
by the scent of blood, tiger had found
my game during my sleep, and was
rampant and raging over his prey.
Never shall forget the growl which he
gave when he first saw me. There he
was rearing upon the game before him,
his eyes like balls Of fire; saw but one
nope and that was to recover the knife,
which in my first surprise had let drop.
l made one effort to secure it, but my
enemy kept too close watch upon me
and dartcd upon me before could reach
it. AS he came, with laundering
roar and flaming eyes, gave myself up
for lost; blindly l closed my fist and
made pass as he reared upon me.
t'ortunatel y my arm passed direct into
his throat as he ripped my clothes in
threads with his iron paws, I kept sho-
wing my fist on-on-on, until it was
through and through, by thunder!
Quick as Lightning seized his tail, riz
upon my feet, gave hearty jerk, and
turned the tarnal beast clean inside out
Strangers, 1 thought should fun.
mixed right on the spot but got over
it, and feel none the worse for " fight
ing the tiger. Who'll drinl1.-St. Lou
IS Reveii2e.