Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-11
WATCHING FOR A TIGER.

The spot ] selected was at the edge of
tank, where tiger used to drink. Their
was large timorind tree on the banks an,
l-here took my post A village shikaree ac
companied me, and soon after sunset we tool
up our position on a branch twelve feet from
the ground. / should first mention that w,
had fastened an unfortunate bullock unde
the tree for q bait. Well, we remained OF
our perch for couple of hours without any
thing 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
OF half mile sneaking stealthily toward the
village, when party of Brimparries passing
by stopped to water their bullocks at the tank
They lotered for some time, and becoming
impatient, | got down from the tree with a
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 shikaree gave
low whistle, and at the same moment q
growl arose from some bushes between me
and the tree. To make my situation quite
decided | saw the shikaree's black arm point
ing nearly straight under him, on my side Of
his post. 1t was evident that | could not re-
gain the tree, although was within twenty
PAGES oft. There was nothing for me to do
but to drop behind bush, and leave the rest
to Providence. If had moved then the ii.
ger would have had me TO a certainty: besides
| trusted to his killing the bullock, and return
Ing to the junkle as soon as he had finished
supper.
1t was terrible to hear the moans of the
wretched bullock when the tiger approached.
lie would run to the end Of his rope, making
desperate attempt to break it, and then lie
~ cbol-i IN ILL
in the most pitious manner The tiger saw
him plain enough, but suspectng something
was wrong, he walked growing around the
tree, as if he did not observe him. Al length
he made his fatal spring, with horrid shrek
rather than q roar. / could hear the tortured
bullock struggle under him, uttering faint
cries, which became more feeble every in
slant, and then the heavy breathing, half
growl, half snort of the monster, as he hung
to his neck, sucking his liie's blood.
L know not what possessed me at this mo-
ment, but | could not resist the temptation of
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 bullocks
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 sullen growl. There
was nothing but date bush between us /
had no weapon but my discharged rifle. l
felt for my 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
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 /
afterwards learned, he, poor fellow, was try
ing to fire my double rifle; but all the locks
have bolts which he did not understand and
he could not cock it. He was good shika-
rec, 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 l had sent him in an-
other direction that day. Well, some min
utes passed thus.
The tiger made no attempt TO come at me;
a ray of hope cheered me lie might be dy-
ing peepcd through the branches, but my
heart sank within me when his bright green
eyes met mine, and his hot breath absolutely
blew in my face. ] slipped back in despair,
and growl warned me that even that slight
movement was noticed; but why did he not
attack me 4? a tiger is suspicious, coward
ly brute, and will seldom charge unless he
secS HIS prey ulslInCtIy. NoW, was puIte
concealed by the date leaves; and while
remained perfectly quiet, still had chance.
Suspense was becoming intolerable. My
rife lay useless at my side, TO attempt to
load it, would have been instant death. My
knees were bruised by the hard gravel, but l
dared not move joint. The tormenting
mosquetoes swarmed around my face, but l
feared to raise my7hand to brush them off,
Whenever the wind ruilled the leaves that
sheltered me, d hoarse growl grated through
the stillless Of the night. Hours, that SEEM
ed years, rolled on; l could hear the village
gong strike each hour of that dreadful night,
which l thought would never end. At last
the welcome dawn and oh, how gladly did
| hail the first streaks of light that shot up
from the horizon, for then the tiger arose,
sulkily stalked away to some distance.
felt that the danger was past, and rose with
feeling of relief which l cannot describe
Such night of suffering was enough to turn
my brain, and l only wonder that l survived
1t. | now sent off the peon for the elephant,
and before three o'clock old Goliath had ar
rived. 1t was all over in five minutes. The
tiger rushed to meet me as soon as l entered |
the cover and one ball in the chest dropped |
him down dead.