Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-01-09
A TIGER HUNT;
or, Life in the Philippine Islands.
BIZ WILLIAM H. THoMAs.


About forty miles from Manila, near
long range OF mountains which take rise
on the sea-coast, and extend through the
island of Lus"n, is an extensive Jungle,
which is thickly studied with dense
growth OF small trees or brush wood, and
long dried grass, where hundreds Of ami
mails lay secreted during daylight. and
come forth at night to seek their prey.
and make darkness hideous with their
howls and roars of rage and hunger.
In this Jungle, where none but the
most adventurous sportsmen intrude, and
never alone, small species Of leopardo.
or tiger, finds sure cover after success
full forage, during which the animal
makes sad havoc among the cattle of the
natives, destroying wantonly. even after
its appetite has been fully satisfied by its
thirst for blood.
The leopardo is powerful animal al.
though smaller than the Java tiger, it
possesses all Of its activity and much of
its boldness and ferocity. With longer
tushes. which look strong enough to mas
ticate iron. and paws armed with terrible
claws capable of stripping the flesh from
limb with single blow, it is no wonder
they are dreaded by the natives. and suf
tered to continue their warfare uncheck-
ed. excepting through the agency of pits
or rude species of traps. made Of wood
resembling iron in it's consistency. Even
the latter are often torn to pieces by the
fierce brute, who never ceases, from the
moment he finds that he is O prisoner, to
work with tooth and claw, to relieve him.
self for his unpleasant predicsment. l
have seen The hard wood splintered like
spruce log after being struck by fash
OF lightning; and the mark Of the ami
mails teeth resembling the work OF cross
cut saw.
The pits. or holes dug in the ground
about ten feet deep. and covered over
with light brush. upon which are placed
pieces Of strongly tainted meat. are the
only sure means Of destroying the pests :
yet such is the Incidence Of the natives.
they had rather suffer than incommode
themselves by few hours labor, and 80
thin off :he fierce denizens Of the jungle.
My friend. Don Arturo. had, about
three years before my arrival in Manila,
purchased tract of land in the immedi-
ate vicinity of the jungle, where he plan
ted about twenty thousand trees. for the
purpose of raising coffee. an excellent va
rlety of the berry being exported from the
island. The Government few years
since. offered a premium to any one who
would engage in the speculation. hoping
to be able to compete with Java, and
perhaps drive the Dutch from the field.
The Don was enthusiastic in regard to
his plantation, and at his pressing request
Mr.. Allen and myself one day offered to
accompany him to the farm and witness
the improvements. We were the more
ready 10 go because we thought there
mi ght be chance for little sport in the
tigerhunling line ; large stories Of the
animals ferocity and daring passing quite
current among the European residents OF
Manila. .- ...
A number of servants were ordered to
pack up bedding, provisions, ammunition
and rifles, and the whole was started of
IN cart, drawn by four st ,ut bufsloes.
We allowed them three days to reach
their destination, and then, one bright
morning. we bii our pretty hostess fsre>
well, and started on horseback for the
plantation, where we intended to remain
a week or ten days. ..' a". .f -s
We galloped that day over the mos!
beautiful portion of the islsnd-we forded
the streams that ran silently by green
banks whose bright verdure never faded
from one years end to the other we
halted under tall cocoa-nut trees. snd
tempted the monkeys to hurl the fruit at
US by way of revenging themselves for
the grimaces which we made at them ;
We 'plueked wild bananas, and squeezed
the juice of sweet oranges into our clsret.
each of US having taken the preeadtion'to
provide bottle for the purpose of mois.
tening our lips on the way; and at length
heartily tired of pleasure, we hailed with
joy the keepers house, aud were veteom-