Nebraska advertiser. [volume] (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882, 1857-12-17
Miscellaneous
Adventure with a Tiger.

the station of Asscarghur, in India, says
Lieutenant St. Clair, agreed to make a
shooting excursionin the vicinity of Agra;
and it gave occasion to an animated scene. |
A convenient spot had been selected for
the tents, beneath the spreading branches
of a huge banyan; peacocls glittered in
the sun upon the lower boughs, and troops
of monkeys grinned and chattered above.
The horses were fastened under the sur
rounding trees, and there famed off the
insects with theirdowing tails, and paved
the groundwith their graceful feet; far
ther off stood stately elephant, watching
the progress of his evening repast pre-
pairing by his driver, and taking under his
special protection the pets of his master, a
small dog, handsome bird, six, feet high,
decled in plumage of lilac and black, and
a couple of goats, who, knowing their sa-
fest asylum, kept to his trunk or under
the shelter Of his huge limbs. Beyond
repOsed a couple of camels with their dri-
vers-some lying down, others standing
or kneeling. Numerous white bulloCks,
their companions in labor, rested at their
feet; while packsaddles, panniers, and
sacks, piled around, completed the picture.
Within the circle of the camp lively
scene was passing, fires blazed in every
quarter, and sundry operations of roast
ing, boiling, and frying, were going on in
the open air. Everyfir was surrounded
by busy crowd, all engaged in that i'm
portant ofice-prepa for the evening
meal. The interior of the tents also pre-
sented an animated spectacle as the SER
wants were putting them in order for the
night; they were lighted with lamps, the
walls hung with chintez or tiger-skins,
carpets were spread upon the ground, and
sofas surrounded by curtains of transpa-
rent gauze-a necessary precaution ag-
ainst insects-becalne Commodious beds.
Polished swords and daggers, silver
mounted pistols and guns, with knives,
and boar spears, and the gilded bows, ar
rows, and quivers, of native workmanship,
were scattered around. The tables were
/ covered with European books and news
papers, so that it was necessary to be
continually reminded by some savage OBJ
Iject that these temporary abOdes were
placed in the heart of an Indian forest
The vast number of persons-the noise,
hustle, and many fires sabout the camp,
lprecluded any idea of danger-and the
gentlemen of the party collected together
in front of the tents, conversed carelessly
with each other, or amused themselves
with looking about them.
While thus indolently beguiling the few
minutes which had to elapse before they
were summoned to dinner, e full-grown
tiger, of the largest size, sprang sudden
ly into the centre of the group, seized one
of the party in his extended Jaws, and
bore him awry into the wood with rapi-
dity that defed pursuit. The loud out
cries, raised by those whose faculties were
not entirely paralized by terror and cons
formation, only served to increase the
tigers speed. Though scarcely a moment
had elapsed, not trace Of the animal re-
mained, so impenetrable was the thiCket
through which he had retreated; but.
notwithstanding the apparent hopeless
ness of the case, no means which hui
man ingenuity could suggest was left
untried. Torches were instantly collect
cd, weapons hastily snatched up, and the
whole party rushed into the forest-Some
beating the bushes on every side, while
others pressed their way through the tam
gled underwood, in a state of anxiety In
capable of description.
The victim selected by the tiger was ar
officer, whose presence ofmind and daunt'
less courage, in the midst of the most ap.
palled danger, most providentially enabled
him to meet the exigenees of his situation
Neither the anguish he endured from the
wounds already, the horrible manner IL
which he was hurried along through brush
and brake, and the prospect so immedia-
tely before him of a dreadful death, sub
dued The firmness of his spirit; and me-
ditating with the utmost coolnesS the
readiest means of effecting his own deli
verance, he proceeded cautiously to make
the attempt. He wore a brace of pistol;
in his belt, and the tiger having seized
} him by the waist, his arms were collse.
quently left at liberty. Applying his hand
10 the monster Siue, IIe dSC6IidlHSu 'tilt
exact position of the heart; then drawing
out his pistol, placed the muzzle to the
part and fired. Perhaps some slight tre.
NOR in his own fingers, or a Jerk occa
stoned by the rough road or brisk pace
of the animal, caused the hall. t
. miss its aim, and a tighter grippe and ac.
celebrated trot alone announced the wounC
, he had received. Amoment of inexpres
sible anxiety ensued, yet, undismayed BY
the ill-suceess Of his efforts, though pain
fully aware that he now possessed only ;
single chance for life, the heroic indivi
dual prepared, with more careful deliber
f. ation, to make fresh attempt. He fel
e for the pulsations Of the heart a. seconC
time, placed his remaining pistol firmly
i against the vital part and drew the trig
= ger with a steadier hand, and with nice
! precision. The Jaws suddenly relaxed
their grasp, and the tiger dropped deat
beneath his burden! The triumph of tht
victor, as he surveyed the Gfeless body o
the animal stretched upon the ground
was subdued by; the loss of blood and tn,
pain of his wounds He was uncertain
too, whether his falling strength woult