The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-01-28
A HUNTING ADVENTURE.

n
The incident which am about to relate
to my young readers occurred only few
wears ago. Although not attended by any
serious result it was altogether most ter
rifying adventure.
You must first know that l had gone
north from Point de Galle-a seaport
which lies in the southern extremity of
Ceylon-on a hunting excursion, in COM
pany with large party. Having reached
a certain station we separated, some of us
choosing to go in one direction and some
in another. remained with the minority,
with whom it was agreed that the majority
should reunite five days later, at the foot
of one of the offsh0ots of the kandyou
range of mountains. The place OF meet
ing was near large "tank."
! And now. one word relative to these
tanks. At home we should call them
reservoirs, such as are found back in the
mill regions for the constant supply of
water in the dry season. The tanks of
Ceylon were built ages ago for a similar
purpose, and are both very large and nu-'
merous. zH
On the evening of the fourth day-to re-
turn to nv story-we encamped not far
from the tank near which we were to meet
on the morrow. In the early morning
awoke, and while preparing for the ad-
vance comTade said to me:
Gap, didyou hear that internal growl-
ing last nightr
No" | replied, very much astonished
by the conviction that must have slept
uncommonly sound.
at began about one o'clock, should
say, and was kept up with intervals until
five And so you didn't hear ?'
"No; but what do you suppose it was ~
"Most likely panther or tiger. The
best thing for us to do, at all odds, is to
keep eyes and ears open for the rest of the
day"
= In other words. to try and get good
shot at the villain, eh?"
Exactly"
Only tvs of our party were engaged in
this sport-my friend and myself. On the
previous day he had killed a small deer,
and, after cutting off few slices, had left
the carcass where it fell. He proposed
that the deer should now be brought into
use as bait, and fastened TO a certain tree
near the tank, to which the bowling beast
would probably come to drink.
=" always thought said |, shat tigers
and panthers and the like would not eat of
dead meat"
companion, who, though born of English
parents, was native of the island; 'for
when tigers are hungry they eat Just what
they can get. and won't be slow about it,
either @ A
After further debate we arranged our lit
tie game in accordance with my friends
suggestions.
The deer was brought up and fastened
to large sycamore tree in an upright pos
ture; and the tall grass which grew along
the banks of the pond, or tank, was brush
ed up carefully, so as to conceal, if posi-
bic, the appearance of any human footstep.
We fingered in the vicinity nearly the
whole day through without meeting with
any signs of success.
''This delay is not very agreeable" said
to my friend.
"Itis something thata man must get used
to if he stays long in these parts. But on
ly wait until night comes On. and I'll wager
a sovereign that the game will be played"
About half-past seven in the evening
the moon rose full AID bright, and the
hitherto dark waters of the tank were all
aglOw as with flashing silver.
We assembled the tree and stationed our
selves about ten feet above the ground,
each of us with rifles in hand, occupying
a separate branch. A half hour later |
CHANGED to remember that | had left my
caruidge-case lying on the earth not far
distant. | went in search fit, and while
was returning to the tree low whistle
brought me to halt. In the full glare of
the moon beheld slowly approaching a
monster of unfriendly guise.
Between me and the tree there was
distance of about thirty PAGES. | began to
trcmble, and dropped down slowly behind
a bush. | watched every movement of
nv friend as well as kept a keen eye on the
animal. at whose head my rifle was poised.
Minutes seemed hours, and the suspense
of few seconds almost relaxed my cOur-
age and strength. But why not send
vOlley at the beast? will explain.
We had thought to deceive him by the
deer: and if perchance we could only in
duce him to make an attack in that direc-
ton we would have better chance of Sc
curing him in the end. Thank fortune,
our plan did not fail.
After few moments of hesitation, dur
ing which the tiger. half suspicious of
danger, looked about him for further con-
firmation, he approached the deer. When
within five feet from him he sprang for
ward, and, selling it by the throat, made
an effort to draw blood.
The animal recognized the deception at
once But before he could offer any COM
plant rife ball struck him full in the
face.
The tiger bounded towards me; but be-
fore reaching the bush behind which was
covering he fell prostratc-not dead, but
watchful.
Who can tell the agony of that moment?
My friend could not take aim without run
ming the risk of hitting me. In this stu
alton | remained for half an hour. The
tiger made no effort to crowd over the
bush, and this stiffness on his part induced
me to believe that he was either dead or
dying. .-. ...... -.---
At length the Englishman slowly de.
scended the tree, and there was still some
grounds for hope. | watched my friend
with strained eyelids, and saw him creep
ing forward. His rifle was poised, and he
meant to shoot either me or my antagonist.
All at once the tiger, a most ferociOus
brute, turned his head, shook it, and arose
on his hind feet.
Bang! Bang!
Half conscious only of what was do
ing, l discharged the remaining contents
of nv rifle, The smoke cleared AWAY,