The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-07-25
Watching for a Tiger.

Watching for a Tiger.
The spot selected was at the edge O
F a tank, where tiger used to drink
There was a large tamarind tree on tn,
bank, and here l took my post. A village
shikaree accompanied me, and soon aftel
sunset we took up our position on brancl
twelve feet from the ground. / shoulc
first mention that we had fastened an un.
fortunate bullock under the tree for bait
Well, we remained on our perch for q
couple of hours without anything stirring;
it might be eight o'clock; the moon had
risen, and so clear was the light that we
could see the jackals at the distance oi
half mile, sneaking stealthily along to-
ward the village, when party of Brim-
parries passing by, stopped to water their
bullocks at the tank. They loitered for
some time, and, becoming impatient, 1 got
down from the tree with single rife in
my hand, and walked up to them, telling
them that l was watching for a tiger,
when they started off Immediately.
was sauntering back to my post, never
dreaming of danger, when the shikarec
gave low whistle, and at the same mo-
ment growl arose among some bushes
between me and the tree. To make my
situation quite decided, I saw the shika-
ree's black arm pointing nearly straight
under him, on my side of his post. 1t
was evident that I could not regain the
tree, although I was within twenty PAGES
of it. There was nothing for me to- do
but to drop behind bush, and leave the
rest to Providence. If 1 had moved then,
the tiger would have had me to certain
ty; besides, trusted to his killing the
bullock, and returning to the jungle as
soon as he had finished supper.
1t was terrible to hear the means of
the wretched bullock when the tiger ap-
preached. he would run to the end of
his rope, making desperate attempt. to
break it, and then lie down, shaking in
every limb, and believing in the most pit
eous 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. 1 could hear
the tortured bullock struggle under him,
uttering faint cries, which became more
feeble every instant, and then the heavy
breathing, half growl, half snort of the
monster, as he hung to his neck, sucking
his life's blood. ~
1 know not what possessed me at this
moment, but could not resist the Tempt
alton of a shot. crept up softly within
ten yards of him, and kneeling behind
clump of dates, took deliberate aim at his
head, while he lay with his nose buried in
the bullock's throat He started with an
angry roar from the carcass when the ball
hit him. He stood listening for moment,
and then dropped in front of me, uttering
sullen growl. There was nothing but
date bush. between US. l had no weapon
but my discharged rifle. I felt for nv
pistols, but they had been left on the tree.
Then l knew that my hour was come and
all the sins of my life rushed with distinct
ness across my mind I m1ttered 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 fel.
low, was trying to fire my double rife; 1
but all my locks had bolts, which he did
notunderstand, and he could not cock it. |
He was good shikaree, 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 re-
lieved me; but I had sent him in another
direction that day. Well, some minutes
passed thus. - . -
The tiger made no attempt to come at
me; ray ofhope cheered me; he might be
dying. / peeped 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. I 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 a
cowaRlly brute, and will seldom
charge unless he sees his preys distinctly.
New,I was quite conceafed by the date
leaves; and while 1 remained pefectiy quiet,
still had chance. @ @ II
: Suspense was becoming intderable.-
My rife lay useless at my side; to attempt
TO load it would have been instant death i
My knees were bruised by the hard .grav-
j, but Iqdare net move a Joint q The tor
nenting mosquitoes swarmed around my.a
ace but feared to raise my hand to