The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-09-21
Wonderful Escape.

WCNueItui ESCAPE.
lhe following story may seem strange TO some
but the reader may be sure that it Is true Il
was sent To this magazine by the Rev W. Nor
ton, missi'nary from India, and Mr.. f. was his
relation, and pious man. This gentleman was
government surveyor and was one day measu-
ring some land that was covered over with wha,
they call in India jungle, the name given to the
trees and shrubs, and reeds and grass. which
grow So thick and rank in that hot country. As
there were great many wild beasts in this iun.
gle, the people who were helping Mr. B lighted
fires, discharged guns, sent in dogs, made loud
noise, and did oil they could to frshen them Il.
way.
Not thinkng that there could be any danger
after all this, Mr. b. forced his way throagh a
part OF the jungle to little hill, that he might
view the country but as he,was walking, all at
once he felt the ground giving way under him
and before he could recover his footing, or do any
thing to help himself he had sunk down among
the the thick underwood, while all around him
there rose up cloud OF dust, which, tor Il lew
minutes, prevented him from seeing where he
was. But though be could see nothing, he heard
enough TO frighen him 1t was the low ayrowl
OF some wild beasts, and he felt sure that he bad
sunk down into their den And so it proved ioi
as soon as the dust cleared away, he found him
self IN the midst Of q mes. of tiger cubs The
fact was that the white ants, plentiful in India
had followed out the ground, and. as the seaso,
was very dry, the thin crust which covered the
tigers lair broke in az soon as Mr. b. put his foo,
upon It.
Now you may fancy what he felt when he saw
whers he had got. And what do you think he
didf Turn pale you will say. "nnd treinble
and scream FOR help as toud az ever lie could."--
Nothing of the kind. He saw his danger, indeed
but though alarmed, like good man. he prayed
to God to preserve him, and like wise man, he
prepared for the worst. Knowing the habits oI
the creature into whose den he had fallen. he fell
quite sure that the tigress was too near to permit
him to escape her fury What, then, could he
dol He had no gun, no sword, or even stick
His hand was lis only defense But what could
that do without weapon' All, the land is d
wonderful instrument when wisely used And 50
it proved to Mr. b.
After minutes thought, he hastily took out oi
his hat and pocket twoor three silk handkerchiefs
and twisted them tightly round his right arm. up
to the elbow. But what was the use Of that 4
you may be saying You will see 1t proved
the truth Of what Solomon says, that "wsdoa is
defense 1t saved his life. For he had no
sooner done this, than what should he see but the
tigress, leaping over the shrubs and reeds of the
Jungle, and bounding toward him, her eyes fash
ing fire, and her great jaws wide open ready 10
seize and devour him. Was not this very fright
full Do you not think it was enough TO make
the boldest man cry out, and run awayi But Mr
b. was too wise to attempt what was impossible
and what, too, would have brought upon him swift
destruction. He, therefore fixed his feet firmly
upon the ground, prepared for deadly struggle
with the dreadful foe, and then stood still Ir
less time than this story can be read the tigress
had come close up TO the place where Mr. B. was
and therfshe crouched down upon her belly, ant
erawled a!Cag the ground, as you have seen the
cat do, when about to seize u bird, in order t,
make sure OF her prey. Dreadful sight TO Mr. B.
but he had no opportunity TO think much about it
for III another moment, with one bound and a loud
roar, she sprang right upon him.
Ashe expected her great jaws were wide open;
and as quick as thought, and with steady aim
the brave man thrust his arm into her mouth, and
seizing her tongue with his hsnb, he began WIKI
all his strength to twist it from side to side. This
prevented her from closing her mouth but she
made terrible use of her claws, for with them she
tore OFF the clothes from his body and the flesh
from has bones. Still, though wounded aud bee.
ding, he kept his grasp tight, aud gave her so
much pain by twisting her tongue, that She be-
came frightened, wnd with su,lden start back
ward, she jerked it out of his hand, and to his
great JOY rushed away from him into the Jungle
Having spent few moments in giving thanks to
that God who had thus delivered him ont of the
jaws of the tiger, as no had saved David from the
lion and the bear. Mr. b, faint with pain and loss
Of blood, made haste back to his party, before the
fur g. l.. f-..
return to her den.
Now, dear young friends, learn from this story
the value Of knowledge, of courage, Of presence
OF mind, and above all, of piety and prayer, such
as Mr. B. discovered, and to which, under God,
he owed his dcliycrauce. Nor should you forget,
that, great as was the danger of this good man,
yours is still greater from that wicked spirit, who,
like roaring lion, walke,h about seeking whom
he may devour. And if you wonder 3. lis es-
cape how should you rejoice that You mny, thro'
Jesus CHRIST, he delivered from far more dread
ful death than tina. which threatened Lim.-Jr
reni'c Missionary Magazine.