The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-02-17
From the Philadelphia Sunday Mercury.
The Tiger Hunt.
\ Thrilling Sketch.
IY ~ AMERIcAy TRAVELLER iNDiA.

One Of the warmest friends had in Cal
cutta was Major Heath, Of the British Elgh-
tcenth. He was celebrated for the number
Of tigers he had killed, and bore the reputa-
ton Of being the boldost hunter Oh the Pen
inSua He often expressed his wish to show
me tiger hunt, but at that time | had nc
expectation of witnessing the sport. About
six months afterwards, however, We met in
the Peninsula, and enjoyed the long wished
for opportunity Of Witnessing this exciting
and dangerous amusement
II was a bright sunny morning when we
set out toward the thickct, in which, after
being driven from surrounding jungle, II
was SAID magnificent tiger had taken ref.
ugc. Our company consisted Of the Major,
a half dozen brother officers, and myself,
mounted upon elephants, with numerous
train OF natives whose business would be TO
start the game from his retreat. We were
all armed with rifles, aud were Coniidcnt ol
success The Major, however. coOlly niOr-
med us that we must take our chance oi "a
spring, as the animal hen forced TO abandon
his covert, would most likely single out
some one of US for hls leap. We laughed
gaily in reply, and set out.
A long ride through the jungle at last
brought US within convenient distance to the
thcket, aud, obeying the Majors instruc-
tons, we looked at the state OF our rifles,
and then gave the orders for the native hun
ters to begin. Hitherto all had been careless
gaety on our parts, but as the danger begun
in good earnest, our laughter was hushed,
and we sat silently waiting the proceedings
e III. ppf lput, that
they kept us in suspense. Warily approach
ing the thiclct, they set up their wild cries,
and finding this Intellectual they sent their
dogs into the covert, urging them forward
with shouts, and now and then pricking them
with their long spears, \ hoarse growl or
rather scream from the inmOst recess OF the
covert, at this moment betrayed the position
of the game, and convinced us that the
monster was rousing from his lair. We all
stood in eager expectation, waiting for the
deadly spring. But after momentary rust
ling in the thicke', all again was still, as II
the animal had risen to rcCOnnoitre his foes,
and, convinced of their ovcrpowerng mum
bcrs, had sullcnly rctroated to the most i'm
penctrable part of his fortress. \ half an
hOui succeeded OF uuaNalling attempts tn
dslodgc him; but, save n deep growl at
times from the centre of his covert, there
was no evidence of the monsters ncighbor-
hood
"This will never do," said the Major, at
length. 1--WE must scorch the rascal out
lI1lo! Herc, you villains. Why haven't
you begun il before"
The thickct was one of no very great ex-
tent, but apparently utterly imprcgnable.
II was an oversight that the lighting Of fires
had not been attempted before, but perhaps
the native hunters had trusted to their usual
efforts TO dislodgc the monster, Now, how
ever, they set about it with alacrity, and in
\ short time had completely surrounded the
royal beast.
A scene OF intense interest cnsucd, which
every moment became more exciting. The
shouts of the men, the heavy tramp of the
elephants, the cracking Of the ruddy fires,
and at intervals the deep growl of the cnra-
gcd monster, awokc in the mind sensations
of strange delight, not unmnglcd with n
consciousness of imminent danger AS the
fires became more glowing, the louder aud
more frequent growls Of the impatient beast
warned us that he would soon break from his
covert and, forgetting everything but his
approaching appearance, we grasped our ~
ncs, keenly fixed our eyes on the thicket
and brcathlcssly waited his desperate spring.
The hunters meanwhile ceased their shouts,
the elephants were silently posted in conve-
nient positions, and nothing fora few min.
utes was heard but the cracking Of the fires,
and the now quick and angry voice of the
iniuriated monster; until suddenly n roar
was heard, few short, rapid leaps followed
in the covert, and instantly the huge beast
was seen sailing through the air his tail
streaming out behind and his very hair bris.
Ting upon him in his rage.
Almost simultaneously the Maj shouted
Look out there! Here he is a quick
eve, boys, anda steady trigger"
But before his warning had reached us the
tiaer had alightcd on our elephant and was
clinging within ayard ofmc to the bleeding
side Of the beast For moment, confess,