The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-08-04

nefe tOOA my pVot. A -fhAoSO ~oAiN~aN~
accompanied me, and soon after sunset AEe
took our position on branch twelve feet
from the ground. | should first mention
that we had fastened an unfortunate bullock
under the tree for bait. Well we remains
ed on our perch for couple Of hours with
out snything stirring; il might be eighto'-
clock; the moon had risen, and 30 clear
was the light that We could see the jackals
al the distance Of half mile, sneaking
stealthily along toward the village, when a
party of Brimparries, passing by, stopped to
water their bullocks at the tank. They lott
cred for some time, and, becoming impatient,
got down from the tree with a single rife
in my hand, and went up to them, telling
them that was watching for a tiger, when
they started offimmediatelg. ~ ii q
Twas sauntering back to my post, never
dreaming of danger, when the shikaree gave
low whistle, and at the same moment a
growl arose among some bushes between
me and the tree. To make my situation quite
decided, | saw the shikaree's black arm
pointing nearly strait under him, on my side
of bis post. II was evident that | could
not regain the tree, although 1 was within
twenty PAGES OF it, There was nothing for
me to do but to drop behind bush, and
leave the rest to Providence. II / had NOV
ed then, the tiger would have had me TO a
certainty; besides, trusted to his killing
the bullock, and returning to the jungle as
soon as he had finished his supper.
1t was terrible to hear the means Of the
wretched bullock when the tiger approach
ed. He would run to the end Of the rope,
making a desperate attempt to break it, and
then lie down, shaking in every limb, and
believing in the most piteous manner. The
tiger saw him plain enough, but, suspecting
something was wrong, he walked. growing
round the tree, as if he did not observe
him. AT length he made his fatal spring,
with horrid shrek rather than roar. l
could hear the tortured bullock struggle un-
der him, uttering faint cries which became
more feeble every instant, and then the hsa-
Wy breathing, half growl, half snort of the
monster, as he hung to his neck, sucking
his life's blood.
do not know what possessed me at this
moment, but could not resist the tempta-
ton of a shot. crept UP softly within ten
yards of him, and kneeling behind clump
of dates, took deliberate aim al his head,
while he lay with his nose buried in the
bullock throat. He started with an angry
roar from the carcass when the ball hit him.
He stood listening for a moment, and then
dropped in front Of me, uttering sulen
growl. There was nothing but date bush
between US. 1had no weapon but my dis.
charged rifle. I felt for my pistols, but they
had been left on the tree. Then knew.
that my hours was come, and all the sins
of my life rushed with dstinctness across
my mind. | muttered short prayer, and
tried to prepare myself for death, which
seemed inevitable.
But what was my peon about all this time? /?
He had the spare guns with him! Oh, as
afterward learned, he, poor fellow, was try
ing to fire my double rife; but a II my locks
had bolts, which he did not understand, and
he could not cock it. He was a good shik-
aree, and knew that it was my only chance;
so when he could do no good, he did nothing.
If Mohadeen had been there, he would soon
have relieved me; but had sent him in an
other diriction that day. Well, some minutes
passed thus.
The tiger made no attempt to come atme;
ray hope cheered me- he might be dy-
ing. Ipeeped through the branches, but
my heart sank within me when his bright
green eye met mine, and his hot breath alb
solutely blew in my face. slipped back
in dispair, and growl warned me that even
that slight movement was noticed; but why
did he not attack me! A tiger is suspicious,
cowardly brute, and will seldom charge un-
less he sees his prey distinctly. Now Twas
quite concealed by the date leaves; and
while ] remained perfectly quiet still had
a chance. -.. .......
Suspense was becoming intoIerable. My
rifle lay useless at my side; T. attempt to
load it would have been instant death. NV
knees were bruised by the hard gravel, but
| dare not move joint. The tormenting
mosquitoes swarmed around my face but |
feared to raise my hand to brush ttem Off
Whenever the wind ruffied the leaves that
sheltered me, hoarse growl grated on
the stiffness ofthe night. Hours, that SEEM
ed years, rolled on; could hear the village
gong strike each hour of that dreadful night,
which | thought would never end. At last
the welcome dawn! and oh, how glad did I
hail the first ray Of light that shot up from
the horizon, for then the tiger arose, and
sulkily stalked off to some distance. felt
that the danger was past, and rose with a
feeling Of relief which cannot describe
Such night of suffering was enough to
turn my brain, and | only wonder that sur
vived it. Inow sent off the peon for the
elephant, and before three o'clock old Co.
liah had arrived. 1t was all over in five min
utes. The tiger rushed to meet me as en-
tered the cover, and one ball in the chest
dropped him down dead.
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