True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-11-07
VOLUME NUMBER "A.

ches only above the soil. 1tsbottom and
sides are fiat, and its top is gently convex,
to carry off the rain. Bya pole projec-
ting from the centre Of each end the bear
erS carry it on their shoulders, and the
occupant lies stretched upon thin mat
trees, on an open cane bottom, like q
couch or bed, with pillow beneath his
head. The mode of entering or leaving
The palanquin is through square opening
on each side, which, when the sun or
rain requires it, may be closed by sli-
ding door; this is usually composed Of
Venetian blinds TO allow light and air, in
wooden frame, and may be fastened, iif
needed, by small brass hook and eye,
Every thing about the palanquin. hrwev-
er, is made as light as possible, to lessen
the labor of the bearers and there is no
part of the panelling OF sides more than
half an inch thick, if SO much. All
could do, therefore; vas in the shortest
possible space of time to close the two
sliding doors, and lie along on my back.
| had often heard that if you can suspend
your breath, and put on the semblance of
being dead, the most ferocious of wild
beasts will leave you. attempted this
by holding my breath ar long as possible.
and remaing as stillas recumbent statue.
But found it of no avail.
The doors were hardly closed before
the tiger was alongside; and his smelling
ane snorting was horrible: He first but
ted one of the sides with his head and
as there was no resistance on the other
the palanquin went over on its beam ends,
end lay perfectly fiat, with the cane bot.
: tom presented to the tigers view. Thro'
this, and the mattress, heated no doubt by
my lying on it, the odor of the living
flesh came out stronger than through the
wood, and the snuffing and smelling
. we've repeated with increased strength. /
certainly expected every moment that,
with powerful blow of one of his paws
he would break in some part of the pal.
anquin, and drag me out for his devour.
ing. But another butting of his head
against the bottom of the palanquin rolled
1t oder on its convex top, and then rolled
| it to and fro like cradle. All this while
was obliged, of course, TO turn my body
with the revolutions of the palanquin it.
self, and every time l moved l dreaded
lest should provoke some fresh agrees
: sion. The beast, however, wanting sa-
gacity, did not use his powerful paws as
l expected and giving it up in despair,
set up hideous howl Of disappointment,
: and slihked off in the direction from
/, whence he came. Happily. he had en-
e tirely disappeared, and was infinitely
= relieved. The next course 10 be consid-
n cred was, whether I should get out and
walk TO Bombay, distance Of four miles,
: now near midnight, or whether l should
. again close my doors and remain where
e | was. l deemed this the safest plan, and
Semained accordingly; when, about half
!, an hour beyond midnight, all my bearers
1t returned with several poems, or foot SOL
" diers, and muskets, pistols, lances and sa-
y bres enough TO capture and kill dozen
tigers; but these were too late to be Of
), any use. They made many apologies for
t., leaving me, but said that, as one Of them
h would be certain Of being seized by the
% tiger if they remained, and no one could
Il say which, they thought it best that all
lie should try at least to escape, and readi'
= ly forgave them; after which they bore
n me home with more than usual alacrity,
rs and | enjoyed my repose all the more
is sweely for the danger | had escaped
T. Buckingham's autobiography