The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1875-07-16
A NEST OF TIGERS.
Youths Companion.l

Youths Companion.l
To suppose that the famous Bengal
tiger is confined in its range to Bengal
and the jungles of Hindoostan would be
great mistake. The tiger is found
north of the Himalayas as well as south
Of them.
Throughout the whole vast plateau Of
Mongolia tigers abound, and are even to
he met with in Siberia; and, indeed, the
range of the tiger in Asia may be well
compared with that OF the panther in
North America.
As we journeyed across the broad and
seemingly endless Steppes, between the
salt seas Of Lobnor and Gachnor, which
lie to the west of the Gobian desert,
traces of tigers were seen every day.
II is here, | fancy, that the tiger at
tains its fullest size and fierceness since
over all this mighty tract the wild boar
ranges in bristling troops, and the tiger
prey upon them at will,
Remains of their bloody feasts were
often stumbled upon, where the crushed
and CORY reeds gave evidence of a hard
struggle.
Yet during a ride of six days we did
not sec one of these royal beasts. Nc
doubt they were asleep in their lairs,
after their nocturnal prowlings; and il
was rather by chance than otherwise
that we finally did make their acquaint.
ance.
Late one afternoon we had attempted
the passage of one of the rivers, name
less even on our best maps, which give
their waters to these great inland seas
of middle Asia.
1t was a wide channel, and the ford
was attended with so much difficulty and
delay that dusk had fallen on the plains
ere we were all across.
The east bank was low and rush-grown
To reach a more comfortable place Il
camp, we rode forward for two versts OF
over, and, as the night closed in, came
to II halt in an open space, surrounded
by thickets.
The tired horses were tethered, and q
bright fire Of dry cane stalks was imme
diately kindled, over which our supper
was prepared.
Our faithful Cossacks then spread the
uoiiocks (coarse blankets) ON heaps OF
reeds, and We lay down under cover 81
our "shed" tent, to talk, to listen To the
sounds from out the vast solitude,
around Us, and go to sleep when sleeI
came.
An hour had passed.
The stars were burning with that
steady, ruddy glow which have never
seen in other lands, when, suddenly, on
the damp, still air, there broke an awful
outcry, entirely too near to be disre
garded.
The Cossacks, who were asleep, started
up with barbaric anathcmas, and my
companions rose, with one accord, on
elbow.
The uproar burst out afresh.
Ferocious growls Of a wonderfully
fierce intonation were blent with wild
piercing cries, and a sound Of struggling
and graphing, with perceptible thumI
and jar OF the ground.
"Shaitan is loose % exclaimed Raed
feeling for his revolver
ats fight" said Wash. "Tigers and
boars !"
There was little doubt of il.
Seemingly, the struggle was not fifty
rods distant
"fhe brutCs may come this way" Raed
remarked,
Our guns were hastily looked to.
A terrible battle was going on-one Of
those savage struggles OF which we had
here and there seen the marks among
the reeds.
And now, from all over the plains, fiI
and near, We could hear the hoar.e bark
OF scores of boars who had been reused
by the cutlery.
Then came the noise of rushing feet
beating the earth in reckless, headlong
career.
They're coming To the rcscue~ Wade
remarked.
In few seconds the wild squealing
ceased but there had arisen a mighty
chorus OF angry barks and gruntings, and
a troop of horses at full gallop would
hardly have made the ground rumble
more heavily.
Above this angry din could be heard,
from moment 10 moment, loud, wrathlul
growls.
IL would give hundred dollars to
see the tussle :" exclaimed Wash. 4" |
wonder how the tiger will fare against
them all 20
But il was too dark for Us 10 venture
forth.
We rekindled our fire and posted two
of the Knights as sentinels, with strict