The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1857-09-11
FINDLAY, o.. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER ii, 1857

kept to his trunk or under his huge
limbs. Beyond reposed a group OF
camels, with their drivers-some ly.
ing down, others standing or kneel.
ing. Numerous white bullocks,
their companions in labor, rested at
their feet; while pack.saddles, pan.
niers, and sacks, piled around, com
pleted the picture.
Within the circle Of the camp pre-
sented lively scene was passing,
fires, blazed in every quarter, and
sundry operations Of roasting, boil
ing and frying were going on in the
open air. Every fire was surround.
ed by a busy crowd, all engaged in
in that important Office, preparation
for the evening meal. The interior
Of the tent also. presented an ANNA
ted spectacle, as the servants were
putting them in order for the night ;
they were lighted with lamps, the
walls hung with chintz or tiger skins,
carpets were spread upon the ground,
and sofas, surrounded by curtains OF
transparent game, "a necessary pre-.
caution against insects) became com
modious beds. Polished swords and
dsggers, silver. mounted pistols and
guns, with knives, boar spears, and
the gilded bows and arrows, quivers
of native workmanship, were scat.
tered around. The tables were GOV.
cred with European books and news.
papers; so that it was necessary to
be continually reminded by some
savage object that these temporary
abodes were placed in the heart OF
an Indian forest.
The vast number Of persons, the
noise, hustle, and many fires about
the camp precluded every 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 we're summoned to dinner, a
full-grown tiger sprang suddenly in.
to the centre of the group, seized
one ofthc party in his extended jaws
and bore him away into the wood
with a rapidity that defied pursuit.
The loud outcrics raised by those
parties whose faculties we've not en-
tirely paralysed by terror and conster.
nation, only served to increase the IT,
gers speed. Tho scarcely a moment
had elapsed, not trace of the ami
NAL remained, so impenetrable was
the thicket through which he retreat
ed; but Notwithstanding the appar-
cnt lopelessness Of the case, no
means which human prudence conld
suggest were left untried.
Torches were instantly collected.
weapons hastily snatchcd up, and
the whole party rushed into the for.
est, some beating the bushes on eve
ry side, while others pressed their
way through the tangled underwood
in q state OF anxiety incapable OF
description. The victim selected by
the tiger was an officer, whose pres,
ence OF mind ami dauntless courage
in the midst OF the most appalling
danger, most providentially enabled
him to meet the exigencies Of his
situation. Neither the anguish he
endured from the wounds received.
the horrible manner in which he VAS
hurried along through brush and
brake, nor the prospect 30 immedi.
ately before him of a dreadful death
subducd the tirmness OF his spirit
and meditating with the utmost cool
ness upon the readiest means of ef.
fecting his own deliverance, he pro.
ceeded cautiously to make the at-
tempt. He wore brace of pistols
in his breast, and the tiger having
seized him by the waist, his arms
were consequently left at liberty. -
Applying his hand to the monsters
side, he ascertained the exact posi-
ton OF the heart; then drawing out
one oi his pistols, he placed the muz
zle to the part and fired. Perhaps
some slight tremor ran through his
own fingers, or jerk occasioned by
the rough road and brisk pace OF the
animal, caused the ball to miss it,
aim, and a tighter gripe and an &C
celebrated trot alone announced thu
wound which the tiger had receiv
ed.
A moment of inexpressible ankle
ty ensued; yet, undismayed by tn,
i'll success Of his effort, though pain
fully aware that he now possesses
only single chance for life, the he
ro;c officer prepared with more care
, ful deliberation, to make a fresh at
tempt. He felt for the puslations c
the heart second time, placing hi
remaining pistol firmly against tn
j. vital part, and drew the trigger wit
steadier hand and a nicer precis
ion. The jaws suddenly relaxe
their grasp, and the tiger drnppe
dead beneath his burden. The tr
. umph ofthe victor, as he surveyed tn
3 liteless body OF the animal stretche
. upon the ground, was subdued b
\ the loss OF blood and the pain of HI
f wounds. He was uncertain, to-
: whether his falling strength woul
t enable him to reach the camp, eve
: if he could be certain of finding I'll
4 way to it, but his anxiety on tn
, was speedily ended by the shou
/, which met his ear, which were thos
l Of his frieuds seaching for him. Fl
Q staggered onward in the directie