The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-11-16


prepared for him, and come not so near being
unseatpd as on the first trial. Nothing dis
couraged, be retreated still further, and then
came down like an avalanche. Il was terri
BILE. Il had twined and braced myself in every
possible manner bat when he struck, it seemed
as If the conclusion, after first bruising me, and
almost knocking the breath from my body, re-
laxed every nerve. Doubtless, should have
fallen to the earth below, only taat l was
pretty securely balanced IN the crotch of the
ree, and, having resisted the main shock, had
now no difficulty IN retaining an upright posi-
ton. /
son again looking down at the elephant, /
was surprised to see him With his head fast a
gainst the tree, Iashng his tail. paving the
earth, and uttering a sort OF moaning, below
ing sound, altogether not unlike vicious boil
when about to make an attack. did not at
! first comprehend what had occurred, but suppo-
sed bis actions to result from the anger of dis
appointment ~ not being aoe to brIng me to
the ground. But | soon had cause Tor rejoi-
cling rather than fear. HIS last charge had
been made with SO much force, as to lmbed his
long ivory tusks in the tree, aud be was now L
prisoner to his own brute strength. In vain be
pulled and wrenched, moaned, beloved, and
I
was, fast caught, as one might say,
IN his own trap-and il ever poor mortal was
! justified IN rejoicing over the mlslohunes OF
| living creature, think that individual was
myself. ....
ssBut was still prisoner also. How was
| | 10 get down and how make my escape when
| down! True, the elephant might not be able
/ 10 liberate himself in time 10 do me any injury;
| but | already knew enough OF the terrible Jun
gle to teel little inclination to sett off through
it alone. There were many intricate paths
branching of from the main one, over which l
! had been borne, and the mistake OF taking any
one of these would almost certainly be fatal
resulting in death from starvation through be-
, ing lost, or death from some one OF The thousand
other surrounding peris. What should do !!
1t was reasonable to hope that scme OF my at
tendants would, sooner or latter, return TO learn
the fate of tner master and before venturing
on anything rash, resolved to wait proper
time for them.
"Drearlly passed the next three hours that [
remained upon my gddy perch, above the in
I prisoned beast, looking off upon an undnlatlng
s~a VI udtteu fUIIaSei "'ta ts~ '-et sin OF thes'
tropical climate pouring doTn upon me ITS
scorchng rays, and almost sitting lie with ITS
4 teversh heat. How eagerly turned my eyes
in every direction, in the hope OF getting a
glimpse OF one my attendants, 10 whom / could
make known my situation. No human being
was IN sight, and my widest shouts brought ~
reply. Should | remain where | was, or de-
scend We were, as | knew, almost haIfa
days journey from any spltlrmenent, and Ii
would therefore be impossible tor me 10 reach a
habitation before nighlial, even should | BE- for
iunate enough to follow the nearest path, while
single mistake would leave me TO perish in
that awful solitude. | decided, therefore, to
remain where / was, either till the sun ofanoih-
-r day, or tli should Sc at least one human
being capable OF acting guide.
''rhe sun was rapidly nearing the western
horizon, and was despalriny OF any succor that
day, when my attention was attracted to a com
motion in the jungle, some quarter OF 4 mile
distant. Birds OF various kinds flew up scream
ing, and either hovered over the spot in anger
or darted quickly away 10 fear, and could
catch gImpses OF the deer, the elk, aud the buff
aio, bounding Oft in every direction. What
could be the cause OF tins disturbance Was
Il some one or more Of my attendants turning
to ascertain my fate Man, knew, was al
most universally tedre by the wild, tpathered
tribe OF the wilderness and Ihe animals Of the
brute creation, aud 10 man was now my HOPE
Wildly did nv heart beat, aud eagerly did |
strain my eyes to catch a view OF my deliver
er.
1.-The line Of CommotIon advanced slowly,
but still | could not be certain OF the CAUSE
Nearer and nearer 1t gradually came, til at last
iet a cold thrill Of terror pass through my
frame, as | suddenly caught glimpse OF the
sleek, spotted hide OF a royal tiger, slowly and
softly making his way ,through the Jungle d.
rectIy towards the tree upon which | was
perched. | looked down at the elephant, and
perceived that bv some peculiar faculty or ia
slinct he was already aware Of his dagger
He was standing perfectly still no longer ma
king ar effort TO release himself, but | could
see the skin Of his broad back quiver, as if ev
cry nerve Of his body were effected.
"Tbe tiger gradually drew nearer, and at
last stopped within few PAGES, if TO calcu-
late his chances. Then, with briSthng hair, he
stole softly round his intended victim IN broad
circle, his sharp teeth visible and his terrible
eyes ganrg with fierce anger and desire
Then crouching for the spring, he gave one
| fearful roar and bound, and fairly landed upon
the back o: his helpless victim, who uttered one
agonzed cry sort of shrek and groan COM
bIned-that made me pity hIm. enemy though
| he was.
"But his suferings were of short duration;
as he could make no resistance, toe tiger had
matters all bis own way and almost IN the
time it takes me to tell you the fact, he had torn
open the throat OF the giant beast, and was
drinking his FIJI of the warm gushing blood
This sight sickened me, and | clung to The tree
with closed eyes and dizzy brain.
"When looked again, the terror Of jungle
was making his retreat, licking his chops with
gIutted satisfaction. looked down at the ell
! a,Lon, ,r5 LahaId uory rarcass still held 10