The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-15

said Jack, ruefully, "we might have
gone after tiger that killed one of our
unfortunate grass-cutters the other day.
Bad seran to him dare say we shall
get him some day, but unhappily we
shall never know il.
AT last my luggage made its appear
ance, unframed. Jack praised my
choice of weapons, and was enraptured
with brace of Derringers which 1 pre-
sented to him. 1hese little pistols are
small enough to slip with ease into an
ordinary coat-pocket, although they
carry full-sized cartridge, and are
deadly at anything like close quarters.
Jack and L were like two children over
our new toys, and could scarcely per-
suade ourselves to lay them down, much
less trust them out OF sight. They were
exhibited at mess, and duly admired.
| Every one was eager to try them; and so
highly were they appreciated that the
outgoing mail took home orders for
pair from each officer of the regiment.
We now set to work in earnest to find
tiger, which in that neighborhood was
a matter OF small difficulty. Word was
soon brought that huge beast, sup
posed to be the identical brute that had
killed our poor grass cutter could be
heard Of III ravine.
The intelligence rejoiced our hearts.
AT the time Of which l write the irregu-
lar cavalry were allowed to do irregular
things occasionally, and our fellows at
that period thought it expedient to keep
hunting elephant. Old Luchme-
such was its name-was instantly ordered
to prepare for action; and, having ar
ranged everything with the foresight of
old stagers, and ordered hapless goat
to be tied out as a decoy, we retired to
rest one evening fully confident of meet
ing our deadly foe in few hours.
We started about 2:30 a. M, intend
ing TO reach our rendezvous with his
royal highness little before daybreak,
and force him to atone for his depreda-
tions as he went down to drink after
gorging on the luckless goat. We each
pocketed one small pistol, handing Its
fellow to the friends who accompanied
us. They were our commanding officer,
Col. Meredith, and---don't be shocked
his daughter.
Miss Meredith had not long arrived in
the country. Our regiment was to spend
only one more year at Buchapore, dur
ing which time the young lady was to
have remained in England, but the aunt
with whom she lived died suddenly, and
scarcely knowing what else to do, Col.
Meredith decided to have his daughter
ont TO India Immediately.
Buchapore was not rich III feminine
society. Beside Miss Meredit ith, we had
only the ponderous civil surgeons chat
tering "better half"-an abominable
woman, whose magpie tongue did more
mischief in q day than she or anybody
else could undo in twelvemonth-and
Mrs. Vane, our popular Adjutant's fas-
devolved the care of Miss Meredith
when she needed q chaperon.
A very sweet and charming little per
son was Miss Nellie Meredith but de-
termined withal. Selfish she was not !;
dauntless and imprlsive she as certainly
was with that firm belief in her own
power of overcoming difficulties which
arises either from constant success or
from inexperience. The girl had set her
heart on seeing q tiger-hunt before she
left Buchapore, and in weak moment
the Colonel promised that her wish
should be gratifed.
Although Jack and l meant work, we
could not we'll object to Miss Mered1th's g
company. The Colonel was a dashing
soldier, still in his prime, and deserved
~ popular. Besides being an old shik-
aree of established repute, his advice
was most acceptable and we felt sure
that he would run no unnecessary risks
| IL l. L.. Ill
armed, with trusty elephant, we
feared no danger; moreover, there was
but one lady, and she-men are but NOR
tals-was very pretty.
Such sweet, saucy, naive face The
delicate features and large almond
shaped eyes seemed capable of every
variety of expression. Her dark. brown
hair, tied carelessly back with dainty
ribbons, rippled in thick waves below a
waist round and supple as Hebe's own.
Her feet and hands were of the smallest;
her voice was of the sweetest. Still, the
girls principal charm lay in her simple,
unaffected manner, and the small opinion
which, in spite of her waywardness, she
entertained of herself and her abilities.
Bright, sparkling, ful of fire and mai
Uete, she was not coquettish, although
an ordinary observer might have mis-
judged her in this respect. Nellie Mer-
edith had no petty meannesses. Hers
was frank, noble nature, containing
the promise of great things to come.
Veal liked the girl, and took pleasure
in her society, as men do in that of a
clever, pretty girl, who can make herself
agreeable, neither falling violently in
love herself, nor expecting every man
she meets to fall in love with her, as is
an unfortunate weakness with some girls
OF the period. Darlington, however,
was "hard hit, and, under the circum
stances, did not object to Miss Mere.
dith's society. Weshould have preferred
making up larger party, but, as there
was only one elephant, this YVES impos
sible. Mrs. Vane was thus prevented
Joining us, which she would otherwise
gladly have done.
1t was broad moonlight when we start
ed, and, to the mind of simple English
girl freshly arrived in the country, there
must have been something strangely
weird and romantic in the scene. The
: elephant ma-ched majestically through
the thick Jungle of waving feather-RrasE
from eight to ten feet high. Heavily