Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1866-11-02
A Tiger Hunt.

a Tiger Hunt.
/ Capt. J Z. Newhall relates the fol-
1 lowing almost incredible adventure In
I his work entitled The Eastern Hun
/ ters
Hawkes. attention was shortly after
attracted to troop Of monkeys in the
/ bottom of the raVine, somewhat high
er than his station. Their movements
/ evinced some unusual excitement, as
/ they skipped from tree TO tree, ges-
tlculatIng, chatterIng, and screechIng,
/ as II in great anger. He had heard
/ that these creatures do, for some rea-
son of their own, hold tigers in great
aversion, which they never fail to dis
| play when they happen to discover
the object of their wrath, BIZ ysOme such
exhibition as he was now witnessing.
In his boyhood days he had seen the
movements of magpies give a clue to
the line of the fox and lie presumed
that he was, perhaps, now observing a
similar natural instinct on a larger
scale. There was evidently. some spec
ial cause for the cOmmOtiOn which pre-
vailed, so unusual in the heat of the
day. As he was pondering this, and
wondering if tiger was really afOOt,
his gun-bearer whispered the word
"Bagh, (tiger.) Where 2 Where Is
he 2' he calculated quickly, making
ready at the same time II don't see
him. mo, Sahib," replied tiiTe at
tendant !; I only spoke for you to be
prepared. 1 have not seen him, but
they monkeys must have done so. -
The chattering soon diminished.
Hawks, however, kept a vigllant look
= L,ra- j
were moving about the trees. but In an
undecided sort of way. De was be-
ginning to think there must have ex-
listed some other cause for their excite
ment, when he felt tWitch at his coat.
He turned sharply, and his gun bearer
pointed down into the nullah, which
entered the ravine at nearly right an
giles, and which formed a portion of
his watch and ward. He followed the
direction of the man s finger and peer
ed into the thick undergroWth at the
foot of the trees, which grew plenJi
fully at the spot, without for a few sec
Onds, discerning anything, Quickly,
however, he caught sight of an object
moving in the shade, and as it pass
ed across a more open space, saw 1t was
a tiger sneaking along with the head
the snOut to the setting on of the tail,
appearing to form one straight line,
the latter appendage being carried in
a dropping state. His rifle was quick
ly brought to bear, and he let drive
both barrels In rapid succession, roll
ing the tiger over but Immediately
recovering itself, sprang up roaring
with rage and pain, and, catching
sight at his adversary on the rock IA
ced bank above, came bounding tow
ard him over the boulders and stones
at the foot of the low cliff on which
Hawkes. stood. The hunter seized his
second gun, and poured its contents as
the tiger came on, but without the ef-
feet Of stopping his headlOng charge.
The beast reached the base of the
rocky height, and, making a desperate
spring, managed to gain hold with
his fore paws on its top, but its fiat
and slippery face presented nothing on
which to fix his hind feet, or give 1t
purchase to assist in dragging itself
bodily to the top. As Hawkes. turn
ed to seize his third gun from the at
tendant he perceived that individual
some distance in the rear, racing with
full power on toward the nearest tree.
It was too late for him to follow suit
retreat was now out Of the question
so he dubbed his gun and brought 1t
down with force on the head Of the
tiger as it rested snarling between It's
paws within a few feet of the striker.
The beast WINGED but did not let go
It's hold It appeared to redouble its
efforts to effect lodgment. The stock
few into splinters as 1t came into con
tact with the hard skull Of the tiger
but Hawkes. continued to belabOr him
with the barrels. He laid on with a
will, but the result was yet doubtful.
Despite the desperate blows, the beast
maintained his position ; and, had he
not been weakened by his wounds,
would probably have made good his
object All this time it had been
growing, with rage depicted IN every
line of its countenance. Suddenly 1t
emitted a short, low roar, culver
seemed to run through it It's jaws re
laxed, its eyes lost their fire, its hold
Of the rock gave way, and it fell back
crashing among the bOulders Of rock
and bushes into the nullah below a dis
tant rife crack accompanying the down
TALL "Hurrah r Hawkes. shouted In
mad excitement, brandishing his gun
barrels. "Hurrah he's cOoned.
'Yoicks Tally ho /" Run for it.
For Gods sake. get into a tree y
shouted Norman from the other side
Of the nullah, in eager, anxious tones.
He may get up, and may be at you
again by some path. No, no, it's all
right. He's cooned. Tul-lul-lul-laie-
tee /" and Hawkes. continued to make
excited demonstrations as he stood on
the rock and looked over. Get back
man, get back Are you mad ?" Nor
man again shouted, with much anxiety.
perhaps he's only stunned. [ can t
answer for hitting him again. Run off
confound you run away, will you +
Its all serene, old fell, was the re-
ply. I see him lying quite still, and
dead as a door nail. There he is IN
| der the tree"