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

ar was Keen ana emily, Dut our Idces
were distinctly visible in the pale, cold
light. Talking was forbidden; and, to
do our lady-hunter Justice, she might
have been born dumb, so strictly mute
was she. At quarter to 8 we arrived
at the ravine, and found the goat miss
ing, but no sign of the tiger. There
were, however, spots of fresh blood
along rough path down the side of the
ravine, where evidently the animal had
recently passed, carrying his prey with
him.
One of our native beaters, who from
long training understood the customary
maneuvers of such animals, crept down
the path, and presently returned to say
that tiger and tigress were both In the
cave, apparently breakfasting on the
goats carcass.
We Immediately settled our plan of
operations, and ordered the shikaree to
fire his piece into the cave, to apprise
the royal pair of our approach. Car
rington and hastily climbed couple
of large trees overlooking each side of
the ravine. Colonel and Miss Meredith,
on Luchme, were safely posted out of
harms way, where they could command
a good view of the animals movements,
and where also the Colonel's rifle might
tell with good effect should Jack and
fail to give either of the brutes its
quietus.
1t was now broad daylight, although
| the sun had not yet risen. This was
fortunate, as We could see much better,
and there was less chance of our prey
escaping.
Bang bang went the shikaree's
piece into the cave, and Immediately out
sprang a royal Bengal tiger into the CEN
ter of the ravine.
A right royal beast was he, nothing
but princely blood ran in his veins. A
true king of the forest he looked, as he
stood there lashing his sides with his
tail, with roar like thunder, his eyes
flashing rage ana defiance, his head
turned eagerly from side to side in search
of his enemies. He measured, at least,
twelve feet from nose to tail, and was
beautifully marked.
The shikaree fred from large tree,
and was completely hidden in the midst
of its thick foliage. We had agreed that
! Darlington should fire first SO, after a
/ few seconds spent in sincere admiration
of orlr enemy, bang went Jacks rife.
The tiger staggered, gave one bound
| into the air, and with hideous yell fell
mortally wounded.
At TINS instant the tigress appeared.
l aimed at her, but, my trigger catching
in branch, the shot failed. Caring
ton hastily let fly his second barrel, but,
being i'll tod great hurry, and possibly
rather excited. he also missed, and the
tigress bounded up the side OF the IN.
! vine meanwhile, had put my second
shot into the tiger, who now lay hfeless.
The tigress fled straight toward the
jungle, passing old Luchme unawares,
then turned suddenly, perhaps to meet
her mate, and, facing the plucky old
elephant, charged straight at her.
Luchme gave a squeal, and brandished
her trunk in the AR, but never offered
to turn tail.
So rapid were the tigress' movements
that, although Col Meredith was thor
oughly prepared, and capital shot, he
could fire only one barrel before the
huge beast ieaped on to Luchme's hind
| quarters. The shock threw his rifle to
the ground.
Seeing what was likely to happen,
Jack and / descended from our perches
with lightning speed, and hastened to
the rescue.
have had plenty of tiger shooting,
but never again has such strange sight
greeted my eyes as met them then.
The howdah, unused for some time, was
slightly white-ant eaten, and at des-
perate assault from the frantic tigress
partially gave way. Nellie Meredith
was slipping slowly but, as it seemed,
inevitably into the tigers jaws. Col.
Meredith's shot had taken effect in the
animals shoulder, and the monster, un-
able to spring, crouched ready to re-
ceive her victim. Not only had the
wood work of the howdah broken, but
the whole affair was turning round, and,
although Col. Meredith sought for his
pistol, he could not get at IL.
Nellie's hand dropped in an endeavor
to catch hold of the howdah, which only
helped to drag the ponderous machine
round. Lower and lower still slipped
the girl. In another moment she would
have been seized by her merciless foe,
but that grand old Luchme, watching
her opportunity, wound her trunk round
Nellies supple waist, and lifted her into
comparative safety beside the mahout.
At the same instant bang went Caring.
toms rifle, and "ping" sounded the
ColonePs derringer, whilst the tigre Sc
rolled over on her back, biting the dust
in her death agony. Col. Meredith's
shot entered the brain, passing through
the right eye-Jack's went straight to
the heart.
As soon as he felt himself on firm
ground, the Colonel turned TO clasp his
daughter in his arms.
60 am quite safe, thank heaven, papa,
, DEAR" were her first words. But
how foolish was to drop the pistol -
| Brave little thing, she never tainted
And, although her face was white,
neither hand nor voice trembled. But
when we reached home the poor child
said her head ached, and went TO hel
, room suffering from an attack OF nerv
GUS fever which kept her in bed fort
night.
l This happened many years ago and,
; though we have long left Buchapore
' Col Meredith at1il commands Tho raoi