Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-07-14
CoNrLICr WITH A TIGER.

overshot the mark
CONFLICT WITH A TIGER.
The following graphic description of
conflict between an East Indian and til
GER in an amphitheatre at Coorg, is TAX
en- from a work upon India -
A man entered the arena. armed only
with n Coorg knife, and clothed in short
trowsers, which barely covered his hips,
and extended halfway down the thighs.
The instrument which he welded in his
right hand, was heavy blade, something
like the coulter of plough, about two
feet long, and full three inches wide, grad
ually diminishing towards the handle,
with which it formed right angle.
The champion who now presented him
self before the raiah was about to be OPP
posed to tiger, which he volunteered to
encounter almost naked, and armed only
with the weapon have described.
He was rather tall with slight figure,
but his chest was deep, his arms long and
muscular. His body glistened with the
oil which had been rubbed over it in or
der to promote the elasticity of his limbs.
He raised his arm for several moments
above his head when he made the motino
to admit his enemy into the arena.
The bars of a large cage were instant
ly lifted from above, huge royal tiger
sprang forward and stood before the
Coorg, waving his tail slowly backward
and forward, erecting the hairs upon it,
and uttering a suppressed howl.
The animal first looked at the man, then
at the gallery where the rajah and his
court were seated to see tho sports, but
did not appear at all easy in its present
state of freedom it was evidently con-
founded at the novelty Of its position.
After a short survey, itstIrned sudden
ly around and bounded into its cage, from
which the keepers, who stood above, be-
yond the reach of mischief, tried to force
it, but in vain.
The bars were then dropped, and seve-
raj crackers fastened to it's tail, which pro-
iccted through one of the intervals. A
lighted match was put into the hand of
the Coorg, the bars were again raised,
and the crackers ignited.
The tiger now darted into the arena
with terrific yell and while the crack.
ers were exploding, it leaped, turned, and
writhed rs if in a state of frantic excite
ment. 1t at length crouched in corner,
gnarling MS cat does when alarmed
Meanwhile its retreat had been cut off by
securing the cage.
During the explosion Of the crackers,
the Coorg stood watching his enemy, and
at length advanced towards it with slow
but firm step.
The tiger reused itself and retreated,
the fur on its back being erect, and its
tail apparently dilated to twice the usual
size.
1t was not at all disposed to commence
hostilitics, but its resolute foe was not to
be evaded, Fixing his eyes intently upon
the deadly creature, he advanced with the
same measured step, the tiger retrcating
as before but still presenting its front to
its enemy.
The Coorg now stopped suddenly then
moving slowly backward, the tiger raised
itself to its full height, curved its back to
the necessary segment of a spring, and
dashed its tail, evidently meditating mis-
chief.
The man continued to retire and as
soon as he was at SO great distance that
the fixed expression of his eye was no lon
ger distinguishable. the ferocious brute
made a sudden bound forward, crouched
and sprang with a short, sharp growl
Its adversary, fully prepared for this,
leaped actively on one side, as the tiger
reached the ground, swung round the
heavy knife, and brought it with irrssis-
table force upon the animals hind-leg
just above the joint.
The bone was instantly severed, and
the tiger efFectually prevented from max
ing second spring.
The wounded beast roared but turn
ing suddenly on tho Coorg, who had by
this time retired several yards, advanced
tiercely upon him, its wounded leg hang
ing loose in the skin, showing that it was
broken.
The tiger, now excited to pitch of
reckless rage, rushed forward upon its
three legs towards its adversary who stood
with his heavy knife appraised, calmly
awaiting the encounter.
AS SOON as the savage creature was
within his reach, he brought down the
,ponderous weapon upon its head with a
9force that nothing could resist-laid open
the skull from ear to ear, and the van
pushed foe fell dead at his feet. He then
coolly wiped the knife on the animals
hide, made digni6ed salaam to the ra-
Jah, and retired amid the loud acclama-