The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-04-07

not an animal of any sort has made its
appearance. The tiger is not there.
The next question is, Where, then, is
hel For the second time we find our
selves grouped around our captain, each
one anxious for further information.
"That is unfortunate, is his remark,
referring to our non-success. That
beat was the most likely one of all to
find him in. The beaters did not startle
a single deer, 30 lit is evident he has been
roaming there already. However, 1 still
hope for better luck. If you will follow
me l will lead you to the next most
likely spot"
Again we move forward with the same
soft, noiseless tread as before. This
wariness, this attempted avoidance OF
being heard lends an air of Importance
and solemnity to our doings. 1t looks
like business. Presently our leader
comes to standstill.
"This is perhaps about the best place
from which to point out your respective
posts" He speaks in a very low, sub
dued voice.
We are standing ON the side of small
hill. In front is another, while about
fifty yards below us is an open nullah-
the dried-up bed of mountain stream.
The space for half a hundred yards or 80
up each hillside is free from jungle and
covered only by some short grass, and
again each one is shown his particular
standing ground. Mypost is on the side
of the hill opposite. To my front is the
un wooded nullah; to my right lies a
densely wooded ravine thus facing me
from left to right there is a considerable
space, open and free for whistling
well aimed bullet to find its billet. Gal
low your quarry to have his side toward
you before firing" was the planters last
caution to me, "and you Will be safe
from mis- charging you tiger always
charges in the direction he is looking"
1 am excited, very excited and the
reason for my excitement being so in
tense 1 cannot to this day tell. Per-
haps it was an inward unaccountable
feeling that something was going to hap
pen. / grasp my rifle firmly. The
beaters are much nearer now; their
sounds are more distinct. Yes and now
they have reached the top of the hill on
the other side of the nullah and now
they are coming down toward the hollow
and toward me. Right, left, in every
possible spot, look for some sign, some
warning of approach-a growl, stir il
the bush, anything. The hoped-for and
Iong-expected sight at length greets my
eyes, for there, 100 yards to my left, out
from the jungle, breaks-a tiger
Out he saunters, twisting his tail ant
growing angrily. At the first sight Of
him up goes the gun to my shoulder
finger on the trigger but just in time
the warning voice comes back, "Allov
your quarry to have his side toward you
before firing" The gun drops from my
shoulder, and / watch him. He reaches
the bed of the stream, and there he hest
tates, as If in doubt whether to seek the
cover of the ravine or to move straight
on. The seconds pause is over then
breaking into smart trOt, he keeps
along the intercourse and makes for the
ravine to my right. If he keeps on al
he is now going he must pass me, broad
side on, within fifty yards. On he comes
now and again turning his head, to SCI
that none OF his tormentors are near
He has not seen me yet, as am keeping
well behind the tree. He is now straight
to my front, and not fifty yards distant
shall fire And now he passes me,
raise the gun, lean it against the tree
take steady aim, and fire.
My shot is telling one. The brut,
rolls ever and over, and then lies on tn,
grass without a move. The beaterl
shortly put in an appearance, and it ii
with great caution that we all move Il
where the tiger lies stretched. There il
no need for caution-there is no neet
for my second barrel-for our enemy il
perfectly dead. The same look of pride
that shone in Napoleon's eyes when gaz
ing on the victorious fields of Jena
Austerlitz, etc., now shine in mine as
gaze on my handiwork. The rifle -th,
weapon that did the deed-I now handl,
with as much affection as the owne
strokes the neck of his pet his Derb,
winner. L, the duffer of the whole party
had won the prize!
1 received their congratulations will
"the pride of modest worth"
"Bravoi old man," shouts Patsy a
he comes up. " If you only continue a
you have commenced We may max,
something of you yet. What CRANE
fellow I"
"Plenty fine 6agh (tiger), sar,
chimes in one of the niggers, grinnint
with satisfaction from ear to ear, ant
looking at me with unconcealed admira
ton. That look of admiration, though
coming from niger, makes me fee
exultant.
Thus happened that event that pro
voked In me hungry and earnest desir'
for more. And now, though years hav,
passed, it is with pride, pleasure ant
exultation that recall that never-to-be
forgotten day which chronicles TIN,
death of my first Chamber
Journal.