The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-19
COMBAT BETWEEN TWO ROYAL
BENGAL TIGERS

There was famous tiger--a monster OF
tiger--named kagra, who had triumphed
at Lucknow on several occasions. lie was
certainly one Of the largest ! have ever
seen, and beautifully strcaked with his CLOS.
sy coat, Us it moved freely over his muscu.
lar limbs and long back. The conniesseurs
in sport had despaired of finding fitting ad.
versary for kagra when news arrived that
tiger of enormous size and strength had
been taken unnjured in the Tera, the long
strip Of jungle land lying between Dude and
Nepaul, just at the foot OF the Himalayas
1t was anticipated that there would be glor.
iOus sport when this monster was brought
face to face with the redoubtei kagra.
The stranger Ieya, waiiah, as it was call.
ed-was taken especial care Of and it was
on the occasion Of the visit of the command
er in chief Of the Anglo Indian army to the
king of Dude that the contest was to take
place. More than ordinary pains were TAX.
en- to render the spectacle imposing. The
court yard in which the battle was to be
fought, was richly decorated with leaves
and flowers, with all that brllisncy o. color.
ing and taste in its distribution, for which
the natives Of lndia are so justly celebrated.
The gallery to receive the king and his court
and the commander in chief and his staff,
was elaborately ornamented with gliding
and 6ags. The royal canopy-umbrella
shaped -oi crimson and gold tissue, was
raised above the state chair while similar
seats of honor were prepared on either
hand tor the commander in chief aud resi-.
dent.
The king wore bis crown on the occasion;
it was q new one, only lately made, with an
elaborate display of jewelry aud beautiful
heron's plume OF snowy whiDcness, bending
gracefully over it. He could act with dig
nifty when he liked aud the contrast BE-
tween the rich, though softened amber color
oil his countenance, and the glltterlng jewels
Of the delicate plume, was very imposing
and pleasing to look upon. He wore on
this occasion his Oriental dress, formed Of
the glttering kincobs oi Chlna-silk, ofgold
like and silver like appearance. glancing
with every movement like FURNISHED jewelry.
1t was a spectacle not easily forgotten.
Such a scene will live robustly 10 the memo
~ when thousand more important events
have faded into torgetfulness. The com
mander in chief wore bis general uniform;
the resident was dressed in plain clothes.
The cages OF Kagrs and Tersi-wallah
were brougbt 10 opposite sides Of the court
yard, both commanded by our position IN
the gallery We could see the long sbiuing
backs Of the tigers, a. they r0amed round
their cages in great excitement occasionally
there was a snarl and display Of teet
alarming 10 witness. a. ONE attendants ap-
preached tn cages Ii was intended tina.
the animals should become aware Of the
presence Of each other, and henc. the pre-
vioas delay. for, ferocio1s as the tiger ia, he
is a cowardy animal, and il br1ssht une1.
pectedly into the presence OF danger. may
cover and retreat from the contest. have
seen two Of them. properly prepared that
ia, both hungry and thuty, when bounding
into the nciosure, each igH0rant that sno
ther tiger Was 10 the vicinity, ID their ut
most 70 get back into their csges and fail
iI.g in that. slink away to a cofDer crouch
,pwn there upon their bellies and watch
esca other intently, lndi'Posed to hostility.
Ii was evident that hsgra and the Terai.
vailah we're soon aware Of each other Vi
cinity; for as they proEled around they
won "A stand and grow and show their tee,h
in the opposite cage IN an emiHea,y tiger.
Ike m.nDer. The commander 10 chief and
the resident h,d n.Pc,e'l both q them pre-
viou.iy,
"Oi which Of them wIii your eIeeleney
bet, ASKED tn King, as h. .ss ihe con-
mlnder Ia chef watching them lntently.
"Yo1r majc.'y vii, p~rhap' pa'dos M
sad the general The company ser vro'h
With the king pecsase hs territory va 10
- msea ca I..oa aai disorder. 80 the com
mA0icf 10 ch.r. soad MI b.t 18th him.
4 bgnirel gold mohgrs on kagrs. -a.d
the kiug ,arning 10 the re-iisn'
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