Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-01-11
sNistellann.
Life in India-Thrilling Incidents

zetleers 5 description OF inula, IT'S afiinalS,
&c.-all true in letter and spirit. The
paths we daily tread are infested by those
ferocious beasts. Natives are often gored
to death by wild butfalJes; or seized and
eaten by tigers--the two animals most to
be dreaded But / have never heard of
Christian missionary being harmed in
any way by wild beast. / believe in
special providences. Let me tell you in
few words one or two incidents of my life
in India, to show my reasons in part for
such decided belief.
Not long ago l was travelling through
wild part of the country. At one point
l was in a dense jungle, With only one
man with me. Suddenly there emerged
from the jungle into the path, few rods
before me, a large wild buffalo. These
solitary ones are those which have been
beaten in fight, and have left the herd in
disgust. They are always in angry mood
and far more dangerous than herd. IN
stantly he tossed his head with menacing
shake, brandishing pair of horns about
four feet long, (they are often six fee)
and setting head and horns as if for
fight, he sprang towards me. l was de-
fenceless-no tree, or anything TO climb
or seek refuge behind or under. Death
never seemed so near. But / turned and
run-whither knew not--yet determined
to lengthen the shor, remaining space as
much as possible. l thought of my wife
and my babe awaiting my coming at eve-
ming. thought of the perishing heathen
around me. | also thought of that say
ing Providence helps those who help
themselves" and | thought Of the furious
beast close upon my heels; so I prayed
as ran and ran as prayed. Almost un-
consciously my feet turned aside into an
almost hidden pathway. Why, l could
not tell; but there was One who did
know; for just as the hot breath of The
beast was upon my back, and in few
more leaps his horns would impale me
without help, / suddenly came to preci-
pice, some thirty feet high, midway up
which, just opposite the place where
was, there was narrow shelf of rock.
Not an instant was TO be lost. / threw
myself down and was safe, thank God
The furious beast stood peering over the
bank just over my head, lashing bis tail
and roaring beyond description. l was
rescued in less than an hour by some boat
men coming near.
During the last few months tiger has
caught several of our cows and oxen l.
e., belonging to our Christian village The
other day man came running in saying
that they had discovered large tiger in
patch of jungle, about mile distant, and
besought US to go out and kill it. We
had no elephant-ihere was great danger
But felt 1t duty TO go; several natives
had been eaten Of late, probably by this
same bod tiger. He had now chosen
hiding place in the edge of little village,
within a few leaps of several houses,
waiting for nightfall. Yes, must 20. /
took my trusiy rifle, armed dozen of my
Mikir young men, and native with
shotgun (good to make noise.) We
found the brute, but SO closely secreted
that it was impossible TO get sure aim at
any vital part, and no tree from which to
make the attack. The noise of voices
around him began to draw forth from his
cavernous depths most omiuous growls.
But though becoming angry, he refused TO
show himself. The sun was now setting !:
in few minutes more the darkness would
render nice aim with my rifle impossible
What Should be done ? Not much time
was left for laying plans. A reckless ma
tive, unseen by me, threw upon the tiger
brand of fire. In an instant he leaped
to fearful hight in the air, and catching
| sight OF US, gave two or three tremendous
leaps toward us. One leap more and he
would easily reach US. He was now in
plain sight. Stopping moment as though
making sure of a foothold. with eyes of
livid fire, and tail wagging with savage
expectancy, he would have been picture
Of beauty if viewed from some safe re-
treat. But you can imagine that, just as
/ was situated, had no time or DISPOSE
ton to spend 10 adniring whatever beauty
might be presented in the abstract Quick
as thought my eye ran along the sights of
my rifle. Q, that was fatal delay for
him, but life for me God in mercy gave
direction 10 my ball, and the fierce mon
ster rolled on his side likewise. Again
praise the Lord for deliverance and
victory.
To give you some idea of this tiger,
fancy an animal built very like cat, ex-
cept that the legs are larger and stronger
propor,ionally Ii feet inches in lenght
(of this the tail feeO nearly feet high,
aed weighing 500 pounds-stout enough