Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-02-16
Tiger Chase by Baboons.

Is extracted from tne NOrtn Llncolu
Sphinx, regimental paper, published
at Graham's Town. The writer, after
alluding to his sporting experiences of all
kinds, and in all quarters of the globe,
declares that he never witnessed so novel
or intensely exciting chase as that about
to be described: Not long ago spent
few days at Fort Brown, small military
post on the banks of the Great Fish river,
where my friend W. was stationed. One
evening, as my friend and were return
ing home, after somewhat fatiguing days
buckshooting, we were startled by hearing
the most extraordinary noises, not far
from US. 1t seemed as if all the demons
in the Internal regions had been unchan.
ed, and were amusing themselves by try
ing to frighted us poor mortals by their
horrid yelling. We stood in breathless
expectation, not knowing what could posi-
bly, Lc the cause of this diabolical row,
with all sorts of strange conjectures flash
ing across our minds. Nearer and nearer
the yelling and screaming approached, ,and
presently the cause became visible to our
astonished eyes. Some three or four hun
dred yards to our right, upon the brow of
small hill, a spotted leopard Commonly
called, in this country, a tiger, though
much smaller than the lord of the Indian
junglcs) came in view, bounding along with
all the speed and energy of despair, while
close behind him followed an enormous
pack of baboons, from whose throats pro-
ceeded the demoniacal sounds that had, a
few seconds before, SO startled US. Our
excitement in the chase, as you may sup
pose, was intense. On went the tiger,
making for the river, the baboons follow.
ing like avenging demons, and evidently
gaining ground upon their nearly exhaus-
ted foe, though their cxulting yells seemed
each moment to increase his terror and
his speed. They reached the stream, the
tiger still few yards in advance, and
with a tremendous bound, he cast himself
into its muddy waters and made for the
opposite bank. Tho next moment his
pursuers, in admirable confusion, were
struggling after him, and as the tiger
(now fearfully exhausted) clambered or
the land again, the largest and strongest
: of the haboons were close at his heels
though many of the pack (the old, tn,
very young, and the weakly were still
struggling in the water. In q few mo
ments all had passed from our sight, be-
hind the brow of the opposite bank; bu
their increased yelling, now stationary
behind the hill, told us that the tiger hat
$ met his doom, and that their strong arm
: and jaws were tearing him limb from limb
: were Wei e"s Stiff some miles from home, we dic
not. cross the river to be in at the death
j. but, next morning, a few bones and scat
!. tered fragments Of flesh and skin SHOWED
@ what had been the tigers fate. On ou
e return home we were told by some Dutc
e gentlemen that such hunts are not unconl
l. mon when tiger is rash enough to at
y tack the young baboons, which often hap
a pens. All these creatures, for miles a
e round, assemble and pursue their enemy
ID with relentless fury to his death, Some
:, times the chase lasts for days, but it invs
: riably closes with the destruction of til
a tiger-a striking instance that the idea {
\ retributive justice is not confined to ma
u alone.
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