The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-11-17

ing the base Of the Himalayan range, ex-
tending east and west for many hundreds
Of miles, is tract Of land covered with
jungle, called the Teral; this is his chosen
home. Graded ia the long feathery grass
Of the jungle, he gauiboIs about in his in
fancy playful as kitten, and usually at
tains, when full grown, the length Of nine
or nine and half feet Wild hogs, deer,
and all the larger species of game, are his
usual prey; but sometimes q pair Of tigers
viii take up their abode within mile Of
a village, sallyiug out from their lair every
three or four days to pull down bullock
or buffalo, always selecting the latest in
the herd. The strength Of their muscular
torearms is enormous. Captain Baldwin
says ~ remember in Assam tiger in
the dead Of night leapisg over fence
nearly five feet high, Selling one Of the
largest oxen, and again leaping back, drag
ging the bullock after him across several
fields and over two hedges" In his old
age, when his teeth become worn, he not
infrequently becomes man eater; and
such is the devastation he then occasions
that whole villages are sometimes deserted
aud extensive districts laid waste from
dread of these feline scourges. In these
disastrous circumstances the advent Of on
English sportsman, with his rife and eIe-
plants, is hailed as God-send by the
whole neighborhood. A tiger when brought
to bay often "spits" like cat. Contrary
TO the received opinion, tigers seldom roar;
but all night the forests resound with the
hideous din Of their cries, which resemble
the caterwauling of whole squadron Of
gigantic t0mcats. In making charge the
tiger utters series Of short, vicious,
coughing growls, as trying to the nerves
as the most terrific roar. Tiger hunting,
even from elephant back, is always accom-
panied with danger One day when Capt.
Baldwin and friend were out beating the
bush for tigers, one Of his beaters--a fine
young "foolishly crept forward to
try and discover the actual spot where the
tiger was hiding. He must have APP
preached within few feet Of tho animal,
for it struck him one blow without moving
or exposing its body, and dashed the UNI
fortunate man with great violence to the
bottom Of stony ravine," He was res
cued at once, but died the same evening,
his skull having been fractured by the
blow from the tigers paw. In tiger-shoot-
ing, when you discharge your piece, wheth-
er you hit or miss, you must not move,
but, standing perfectly sim, keep your eye
on the animal, and put in fresh cart
ridge. Many lamentable accidents have
occurred from sportsmen goingsrashIy up
tofallen tigers, enormously surprising them
to be dead, One or two stones should A..
ways be thrown first, to see what power of
mischief is left in him, for it IS quite pos
sible that he may require another ball as
quietus A tiger cannot climb trees,
but he can spring to considerable height,
and this should be remembered ID shooting
them from what arc called machans, a sort
offramework Of poles resting on the higher
branches Of tree. An officer some years
ago, in Central India, got into tree which
overhung water-coursc to watch for IL
gers. He was a considerable way up the
tree, but he did not notice the fact that
the high bank Of the ravine behind him
was almost on level with him. In no
long time tiger came to drink. sas To-
fred at and hit but failed to Kin Il. xheS
toe enraged brute rushed up the banf VI
the higher ground behind, and, spz1 |
upon him, dragged him out Of aQ
and bit and tore him SO frightfull NJ
died very soon after he was 1eaeA1|l
Powerful and ferocious as the tiger ii NJ
is afraid Of tho wild dog. A pack Of
raycnous creatures, finding streng
their union, will set upon, kill and dev6
a tiger. In the opinion Of some old
dian sportsmen the panther is even maf6
to be dreaded than the tiger He Ii
large, powerful, thoroughly ferocious brule
In old age, he sometimes takes to man
eating, but not SO often as the tiger does
Our author, however, gives an Instance
"of one 10 Gwalior who had deyoured fifty
human beings, and was the terror Of the
whole district" One eveaing Captain
Baldwin. along with a friend, was perched
in tree in an open part Of the jungle,
near the carcass ola COW, which had been
killed, as was supposed, by tiger. The
body was covered with birds of prey strug-
Cling and fighting over It like 50 many
feathered demons, when suddenly . great
commotion occurred among the noisy al.
ners-out, and with whish-h-h Of their
heavy wings they left their dainty fare;
and ilew into the trees close BY, making
way, Al i appears, for their beftors, for
very soon q huge brute approached tha
carcass and began to tear and gnaw al tie
flesh. "a tiger y whispered the Captain
TO his companion. sNo; worry largo
panther answered The other, fring Is ha
spoke, but not killing the animal. ii 4
minute he recovered himsslf, and, spring
ing up, made straight forthe tree. Twas
an ugly situation, for although 1 tiger
cannot climb tee, panther can, d wsIl
as cat. As he approached another shot
was fred at him which passed betwoen lis
legs, and he paused and looked up. sNey
er,' says our author, ashall I forget The
devilish expression Of that terrible coanie-
nance. s An awful moment Of suspense