The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-01-08
a Hungry Tiger.

One night after had peen siX'months
on the island, was seated by the fire,
waiting for the rlantans that were boil
ing in the pot. joachim was not in the
hut, and l was expecting him home 10
supper. ... ...
Suddenly l heard his shout outside,
and the next instant he dashed into the
hut, banged the door to, and threw the
\ heavy bar across IL. Just as he fixed it
and had leaned his shoulder against the
stout wood as an additional support,
there was shock so heavy that the
whole hut quivered and made the door
bend. Another followed, then all was
still.
l sprangiup at the firstsight Of Joarh
in, but the scene passed so quickly that
no word had been spoken yet. But
when, after the second blow on the
door, the attempt seemed to be, aban-
doned on that side, l took the, native
by the shoulder and shook him for he
seemed wild with fear. 4.
"Hallo, mani" said, "what is this?"
His appea rance was ghastly. The old
Guatarnala jacket he wore, his leather
breeches, even his boots of alligator hide
were ripped and cut by the thorns OF
the acacias. His face streamed with
blood from many deep scratches, aud
perspiration drehchcd his long hair.
"a black tiger" he whispered. "It
has chased me across the savannah, for
| NV hIpAn mt 4 10
Ii ,ten!"
Then in the silence, while we held
our breath, and joachim strained my
hand backwards and forwards, heard
the hard snoring of a tiger just outside
the door. No doubt of it? The beast
had singled joachim out, and let the
horse go free.
While we listened, the direction of
the sound moved about, now up and
down, accompanied by raps against the
door, as If the animal were resting his
paws against it as he raised himself on
his hind legs.
At length we heard the sound of
scratching, and drew my machette.
In few seconds black paw, armed
with terrible crooked claws was seen
working ON our side of the door. |
gave downright cut, which nearly
severed it, and the animal, roaring saw.
a gely, threw himself against the wood
: again and again in rage. .rg
Then another pause followed. Very
soon noise upon the roof showed, rs
we had expected, that the enemy was
directing his attack in that direction,
and got my old gun ready. AS soon
as saw the animals fur l fired and
wounded him, no doubt, for he rolled
from the roof, and we heard him fall
heavily. Again and again he returned
to the attempt, and every time caught
a glimpse of his black and shining skin
l fired. ...a.
His roaring was terrible to bear, and
Joachim, Yho never had courage to
/ spare, sat on the floor in corner, stri-
wing to close his cars to the sound.
All night the struggle lasted at inter
/ walls, and every crack Of the hut was
tried by this untiring foe. He dashed
upon the door, he bounded upon the
. roof, scratching that way, but never
: disturbed my fire; he tried the walls
5 and door again and again. II was an
awful night, that's u. fact; and I, for
my part, did not recoYer fromtho ncr-
r vous strain for months.
With the dawn the tigers efforts
became fainter, and at length ceased.
, When the sun rose took my gun and
} sailed out to meet the creature ina fair
fight. l followed his trail for mile or
more, easily guided by the clots Of
blood which stained the grass and rocks
> He was wounded to the death plainly
saw. AT last found him dead beside
the badly of Joaehin'S horse, which he
must have destroyed in tie very last
effort of his rage, dying in the act,