Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-06-29
NO. 26.
The Tiger and Panther OF the Iadian
Jungle.

Sungies
Tue Tiger, the tyrant OF the Indian jungle,
has, as is due, the precedence over his fec
bier or less dreaded congeners. Skirting
the base of the Himalayan range, extend
ing east and west for many hundreds Of
miles, is tract Of land covered with jun
gle, called the Terai this is bis chosen
home. Graded in tue long feathery grass
OF the jungle, he gambols about in his in
fancy playful as a kitten, and usually at
tains when full grown the length of nine or
nine and half f,et. Wild hogs, deer, aud
all the largest species of game, are his usual
preyj but sometimes pair of tigers will
take up their abode within a mile OF a viii
lage, sallying out from their lair every three
or -four days TO pull down a bullock or
buffalo, always selecting the fattest in the
herd. The strength OF their muscular fore
arms is enormous. Captain Baldwin says
81 remember in Assam tiger in the dead
OF night leaplng over fence nearly FIVE
feet high, seizing one of the largest oxen,
and again leaping back, dragging the bull
lock after him across several fields aud
over two hedges" In his old age, when
his teeth become worn, he not infrequent-
ly becomes man eater; and such is the
devastation he then occasions, that whole
villages are sometimes deserted, and ex-
tensive districts laid waste from dread of
these feline scOurges. In these disastrous
circumstances the advent of an English
sportsman with his rifle and elephants Is
hailed as God-seud by the whole neighbor-
hood. a tiger when brought TO bay often
l.. ~
received opinion, tigers seldom roar but
at night the forests resound with the hide
Gus din Of their cries, which resemble the
caterwaulng OF a whole squadron Of gigan-
tic TomcstS. In making a charge the tiger
utters a series of Short vicious, coughing
growls, as trying TO the nerves as the most
terrific roar. Tiger hunting, even from
elephant-back, is always accompanied with
danger. One day when Captain Baldwin
and a friend were out beating the bush for
tigers, one of his beatets, fine young man,
"foolishly crept forward 10 try and discov-
er the actual spot where the tiger was hid
ing. He must have approached within a
few feet of the animal, for it struck but one
blow without moving or exposing its body,
and dashed the unfortunate man with great
violence TO the bottom of stony ravine."
He was rescued at once, but died the same
evening, his skull having been fractured
by the blow from the tigers paw. In tiger
shooting, when you discharge your piece,
whether you bit or miss, you must not
move, but standing perfectly still, keep
your eye on the animal and put in fresh
cartridge. Many lamentable accidents
have occurred from sportsmen going RASH
ly up TO fallen tigers, enormously suppos-
ing them to be dead. One or two stones
should always be thrown first, to see what
power OF mischiefis left in him, for it is
quite possible that be may require another
ball as quietus.
y tiger cannot climb trees, but he can
spring TO a considerable height and this
should be remembered in shooting them
from what are called machans, sort OF
frame work of poles resting on the higher
branches of a tree. An officer, some years
ago, in Central India got into tree which
over hung a water-course 10 watch for til
gers. He was considerable way up the
tree, but he did not think of the fact that
the high bank Of the ravine behind him
was almost on a level with him. In no
long time tiger came TO drink, and he
fired at aud Lit it, but failed 10 kill it
when the enraged brute rushed up the
bank to the higher ground behind, and
springing upon him, dragged hhn out of
the tree, and bit and tore him so frightful-
ly that he died very soon alier he was res
cued. Powerful and ferocious as the tiger
is, be is afraid of the wild dog. A pack of
these ravenous creatures, finding strength
in their union, will set upon, kill, and de-
YOUR a tiger. In the opinion Of some old
Indian sportsmen, the panther is even more
TO be dreaded than The tiger. He is large,
powerful. thoroughly ferocious brute. In
old age he also sometimes takes to man
eating, but not SO often as the tiger does.
Our author, however, gives an instance ''of
one in Gwalior who had devoured over
fifty human beings, and was the terror OF
the whole district" One evening Captain
Baldwin, along with friend, was perched
in tree in an open part of the jungle, near
the carcass OF a COW, which had heen killed
as was supposed by tiger. The body was
covered with birds of prey struggling and
fighting over it like so many feathered de-
mons, when suddenly great commotion
occurred among the noisy diners-out, aud
with a whish-h-h of their heavy wings
they left their dainty fare, and flew into
the trees close by, making way as it ap-
peared for their betters, for very soon
huge brute approached the carcass, and be-
gan TO tear and gnaw at the flesh. "a til
ger 3' whispered the Captain to his COM
panion. "No; very large panther" an
swered the other, firing as he spoke, but
not killing the animal. In a minute he re-
covered himself, and springing up, made
straight for the tree. 1t was an ugly situa-
tion, for although tiger cannot climb a
tree, panther can, as well as cat. As he
approached, another shot was fired at him,
which passed between hisfore-legs, and he
looked up. "Never," says our author,
"shall forget the devilish expression of
that terrible countenance." An awful mo-
ment of suspense followed, during which
Captain Baldwin managed to give him his
quietus.- Chambers Journal.
The King Of Siam has nine wives to
support, aud when the wood-pile gets low
he looks just as careworn as the rest of us.