The Shasta courier., 1867-03-23
SHASTA COURIER.
THE TIGERS LEAP.


The American ship Cremona was on the
eve of leaving Calcutta on her homeward-
bound passage The starboard' anchor hung
at the cat-head, and the other was already
peak-the sails hung in graceful festoons
from the clew lines and buntlines, the stud
ding gear was all rugged, the topsail halyards
were cleared ready for running, and all that
the good ship walred for was the presence of
Mr.. Bowditch, the owner, who was goin 9
home III her.
AT length Mr.. Bowditch came, accompan.
i'd by his daughter Mary, little girl of
some thirteen years OF age, aud two Malay
servants. Most OF the luggage had been on
board several days, but on the present occa
sion he brought off huge box which he de
sired to have very carefully taken over the
side, and after all was safe and snug, and
the cid ship fairly under headway, the men
learned that the great box contained no more
nor less than Il large Bengal iger.
At any time the immediate neighborhood
of the Royal Tiger wears an atmospheie e
anything but pleasant, but when the neigh.
borhood is bounded by the narrow confines
OF shlpb0ard, 1t Is reasonable to suppose
that sume anxiety, at least, may be exercised
on the occasion. Some of the sailors on
board the Cremona were rather inclined to
uperstition-not more so, perhaps, than the
common run Of sallors-and under the Pc
cullar circumstances of the present case
they found plenty of food for superstitious
dread !; but then the thing was done, and it
cound't be undQne-the tiger was on board,
and they concluded that they must make the
best of it.
One man in particular, by the name of
White, who belonged to Connecticut, expert
enced the utmost dread Of the forest tyrant
and 10 assurances on the part of those who
felt perfectly secure, could set his mind at
ease.
The cage was in the hold, directly beneath
the main hatchway, and ever and anon, as
the deep savage growl of the Royal Bengal
came up like the rumblng of an earthquake
from the bowels of the ship. White would
start back from his occupation, whatever 1t
might be, and tremblingly stand, like one
thunderstruck, till the noise had ceased
Not many weeks before, poor White had
been one of the party who went up the Hoogly
as far as Budrwan after boat load of ivory,
and on their return, as they were stopping at
IA spring which bubbles up on the edge of a
large jungle just above Chinsura, the party
were started by the cry.
" The tiger the tiger ~ which came
from one of the native guides.
The water buckets were dropped, and all
hands rushed for the boat, but Just as White
placed his right foot over the bows, pierre
ing shrek sounded in his ear, and on turn
ing. be beh, Id, just beyond the spring, and
on the edge of the thick jungle, his only
brother, youth not more than sixteen years
of age, within the fatal grasp of the tiger.
The i'll fated boy gave one more cry, and
then the sharp fangs of the brute monarch
closed upon his throat, and the purple life
tide went forth from heart that soon ceased
beating.
The horror stricken White gained the ship,
but it was in a state of mind which for some
time totally untitled him for work, aud he
was just getting over his peculiar debility
when his nerves were again set in quick VI
bration bv the presence of the animal which
Mr.. Bowditch had brought on lard
This is the ship of death ~ said White,
as Captain Langdon tried to assure him
that there could possibly be no danger
1.-The spirit of death is on board the Cremona,
and woe he to him who first feels its cold
grippe"
= | thought you had got over your fright"
said Captain Langdon in return, as White
let 90 of the wheel with his right hand and
drew the sleeve of his jacket across his
eyes.
- Fright, sir" answered the hardy sailor,
as he ra sed his eyes from the compass, and
regarded his commander with a mournful
look 9 was it fright, sir, to have an only
brother sacrificed To the tiger demon? to
have left that boys bones to whiten beneath
the heather sun of Bengal?
'.Oh, sir, | saw that boys face as it seem
ed turned with mute supplication up towards
the spotted satan, and heard his agonising
cry for mercy as the fiery balls of the mon
ster cleaned upon him-and OH Cod saw
that monsters long, white fangs as they set
tied into the tender flesh of my brothers.
neck. and | knew that he was shaking his
fiendish thir-t from the fountain Of life
that was worth more to me than all the
world beside. Call it not fright, sir-think
me not foolish that | weep thus for my
brother. The fend is with US now The
tiger demon is upon our deck, and | know
that there shall be one death the more now
that lie has come"
As White ceased speaking the low growl
of the tiger came rumbling up from the hold,
and for season the poor man could muster
scarcely strength enough to steady the ships
helm.
Captain Langdon walked thoughtfulIy
forward. and even he could not help wishing
that Mr. Bowditch had chosen some other
mode of conveyance for the tiger
Had it been young animal, the case would
have been different, but the tiger was well
full grown, of powerful build, and, wi,hal,
not over month from his native jungle,
where he was captured by large party of
hunters. of which Mr.. Bowditch was mem
ber and partly as trophy of his own PROV
ess, and partly as a subject of curiosity, be
had determined to take it home with him.
The ship pursued her course for three
weeks with nothing to break the usual quiet
of a pleasant sea-voyage, and even till after
she doubled Good Hope, everything went ON
we'll, if we may except the slight uneasiness
occasioned by the frequent bowling of the
dreaded occupant of the hold and even
that caused no real alarm, save in the breast
of Harry White.
1t was pleasant afternoon, after the ship
had entered the trade winds the sheets and
tacLs and tho braces remained inst as thev