The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-10-28
IN A TIGERS JAWS.


IN A TIGERS JAWS.
Captain Savage, you want to indulge in q
tiger-hunt, do you? Now, if you take my
advice-and I have gained my experience
by actual practee-you will do nothing Of
the kind. / could show you some scars on
my body that would frighten you-the re-
suits of my last hunting adventure. l have
been on the coast of Africa over FIVE years,
and although repeatedly urged to join par
ties on grand hunt, I have invariably re-
fused. My last experience Vas warning
to me-" ..... .- ..r.........
"Will you spin your yarn, Mr.. Hastings? ?
Ishould like to hear it, and We can do but
little else this hot day.
"Certainly I'll relate it, and I hope you
will profit by what you hear. The officers
here are reckless, good.natured crowd, but
care little for life. They are, in one sense
of the word, banished from France, and
obliged to perform garrison duty on this
barren, isolated rock, known asaGorie. If
you should join them in one of fheir expedi-
tions, not being accustomed to tiger-shoot-
ing, you might regret your haste for the re-
mainder of your life. But I'll spin you the
yarn, us you term it, and then if you insist
upon venturing in the depths of the great
Sahara, you are at liberty to do so; but you
will find that wild beasts are not the only
danger to be apprehended.
'It was during the first year I was on the
coast That l was induced to join a. party Of
friends on hunting expedition to the des-
ert. Our party was composed of Captain
La Moyne, Major de Brissac, merchant by
the name of Mirabcau, and myself. Then
there were the officers servants, who looked
after the rifles, ammunition, and baskets
containing our lunch.
''We formed quite caravan as we started
out from Rufsque one beautiful bright
morning. We were mounted on camels,
but the servants ambled along on the small,
tough Arabian horses common to the coun-
Try. -r---,, .,--Sii--s...-..... =. So
"We were all in the highest spirits as We
glided over the smooth, glittering surface
of the desert. We had made our prepara-
tions to remain night and a day for the
purpose of shooting the noble game, and
toward sunset the little oasis, with its tall,
waving palms, fragrant dates, and lu1uriant
growth of grass, greeted our vision with a
peculiarly agreeable sensation. The large
tropical foliage, the vivid colors and the
numerous voices Of feathered songsters
struck me as something wonderful and
strange, surrounded as the little spot was on
all sides by boundless acres of burning,
sandy desolation.
"We had been riding since morning in
the hot sun, and had not INDUCED in
mouthful since partaking Of an early break
fast. I felt both tired, hungry and thirsty
as I dismounted, and glanced with satisfac-
ton ut Selim, the black cook, who had
kindled fire, and was busily engaged in
preparing our evening meal.
ga fine spring of water flowed from the
interior Of the oasis, springing from the
midst Of pile of rocks that had been cast
up by some great convulsion of nature in
by-gone ages. The spring of water formed
the great attraction to the numerous wild
beasts that roamed over the Great Desert.
and in consequence the oasis had become o
noted resort for hunters.
"Selim, with the true tastes Of native,
had shouldered his gun and wandered back
into the bush few yards, leaving his assis-
tant to look after the details of the repast.
The captain, major and the merchant had
wandered off together, and were hidden
from view by ridge of sand-hills that had
been formed by the wind, which at times
blows with great violence. =,
"Catching up my rife, followed the
footsteps of Selin, who was some little dis
tance in advance. His weapon was fowl
ing-piece, and he was in hopes to obtain a
sufficient number of birds for supper.
"Suddenly sharp, piercing and terrible
roar resounded through the solitude of the
desert, and was re-echoed in deep reverbera-
tions from the numerous gullies and chasms
in the rocks.
"Selim started back, glancing keenly
about him. He was an old hand at tiger
shooting, and probably forgot in his excite
ment that his weapon was only a bird-gun.
As for myself, the roar of the savage beast
was so unexpected, so unlooked-for at that
early hour, that I stood transixed with
amazement, unable to move muscle.
"Soon heard rapid movement, the
cracking Of twigs, and the rustic of dried
leaves, followed by a deep hoarse growl of
rage.
with powerful bound, a tiger sprang
from under cover Of the bushes, which he
broke like straw in his impetuous course.
His ears were drawn back, hair bristling,
and mouth open, from which prctruded bis
tongue, covered with a white frothy foam.
The eyes of the brute were starting from
his head and flashing fire, as he rushed to-
ward Sclim, who. CALM, cool and motionless
., a statue carved from ebony, waited tor q
favorable opportunity to deliver his ire .
81 had recovered my selcpossession BY
this time, and, without the slightest fear as
to the result, watched the ferocious beast as
he rapidly neared the large form OF the
negro. In the hurry and hustle of the e1-
element, I, too, forgot the nature of the
natire's gun. I could hear the shouts Of
my friends as they hurried toward the camp,
alarmed by the roars of the tiger, WHO was
now within thirty yards Of Selim.
"Raising his piece, he fired one barrel;
the tiger sprang into the AR, and the seooud
report came, followed ty q frightful cry of
terror. The fine bird.ahot had lacerated
ind stung the ferooous beast into degree
- .