The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1868-10-01
TnR lGAIDRN's PERIL.

&
We have heard many rcmarkabl
stories Of the agility, audacity aud su-
perhuman strength Of the orang. outang,
but nothing so extraordinary as tho
followisg which a3reoent traveller says
he heard from good authority while in
Balavia
Lieutenant Shooh, Of tho Dutch
Fast India army, was on the march
with small detachment Of troops; and
coolies, on the southern coast of Borueo
He had eneamped, on one occasion,
during tho MONDAY heat, on the banks
Of ono # the small tributaries Of the
Bargarmassin. The lieutenant had
with him his domestic establishment,
which included bis daughte - playful
and interesting little girl Of tho ago Of
thirteen. r. -
One day while wandering in the jur.
&c, beyond the prescribed limits Of the
camp, and having, from the oppressive
heat, loosened her garments and thrown
them of almost to nudity, the beauty Of
her person excited the notice Of an
orang-outaog, who spraug upon her and
carried her of. Her piercing screams
rang through the forest to the ears oil
her doing protectors, and reused every
man in the camp Tho swift barefoot
ed coolies were foremost in persuit and
now the cry rings in the agonizing IA
theirs ears that his daughter is devoured
BY bianstung-again, that an oraps.
outang has carried her of. He rushes,
half frensied, with the whole company
to the thickct whence the screams pro.
eeeded-and there among tho topmost
limbs Of ~ enormous banyan, the father
beheld bis daughter, naked, bleeding
and struggling in the grasp Of power
full orang. outaug, which held her tight
ly, yet easily, With one arm, while he
sprung tightly firm limb to limb, as if
wholly uuencumbered. 1t was win to
think Of shooting the monster, so agile
was he. Tho Dyak coolies, knowing
tho habits Of tho orang-outtng and
knowing that he will always plunge in
to the nearest stream when hard press
ID, began system Of operations to
drive him into the water. They set
up great shout, throwing missiles
Of al kinds, and agitatipg the under:
brush, while some proceeded to ascend
tho tree. By the redoubled exertions
Of the whole company, the monster was
driven toward the water, Jet still hold.
ing tightly to the poor girl.
At LAST the monster and his victim
were seen on an out stretching limb
overhaueiog the stream !: the coolies,
who arc among the expertest swimmers
in the world, Immediately lined the
banks !; the soldiers continued the out
cries and throwing of missiles. lie
clasped bis prize more tightly, took
survey of.the water, and, of his upward
gazing enemies, and then leaped into
the food below. He had hardly touch
cd the water ere fifty resolute swim.
mers plunged in pursuit. He rises, a
dozen human arms are reached out to-
ward him he is grasped others lay
hold upon the insensible girl the
orang-outang used both arms in self.
defence and after decorating the bod
les Of zone, Of the coolies with his pow
erfal, nervous claws, finally succeeded
in diving beyond the reach Of pursuers
and in escaping down the stream, while
bleeding, iosensible Ledah was restored
to the arms of her father and nurse, in
whose hands she was ultimately restored
to consciousness, health and strength
once more.