Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-03-03
Il Tiger Hunt.
An Incidentyin the Desert of Sahara,
BY BLUE JACKET.


between New York and my point of des-
tination, it was my good fortune to listen
to the following story.
The narrator was an Americana tall,
muscular man, and his dark eyes denoted
both courage and determination. His
compl EXON, from long and constant ex-
posure to the sun and weather, had as
sumeda hue but little lighter than mu-
latto's, but it only increased the interest
that he had excited among his fellow-pas-
sengers.
We were off Hatteras, the wind fresh
from the eastward, with sufficient sea on
to render walking difficulty even to
those who boosted of the superb
ority of their sea legs. AS night closed
in the wind freshened, curling up the
white caps and casting showers of spray
over the huge black sides of the steamer,
while occasional splashes Of rain drove
the passengers from the promenade deck.
The dismal clank of the machinery, the
monotonous beating of the powerful
propeller, the signing of the gale as it
swept through the rigging above my
head, all tended to arouse feeling OF
lonesomeness, and left the wet, sloppy
deck for the more congenial quarters Of
the social hall.
I found it we'll filled by a number of
my fellow passengers, who, from the clink
of glasses and the popping of corks, were
bent upon making night of it in def
ance to the elements raging without.
Throwing my cape aside, and lighting a
cigar, took possession Of dark corner,
where could hear all that TRANSFERRED.
The party were relating stories, each
one in their turn, and many a thrilling
incident of adventure and war was told
in rapid succession. But they failed to
excite my somewhat listless energies,
which were suffering with the blues, and
pulled away in sullen Indifference to
every thing that was Transporting about
me.
Suddenly deep, sonorous voice, clear
and distinct above the medley of sounds
arising from without, fell upon my ear
l glanced up from beneath the visor OF
my uniform cap. 1t was the dark-look-
ing stranger, who was contributing his
portion OF the evenings entertainment.
"Some years ago, gentlemen, I had a
contract to supply the French forces
stationed at Goru with certain supplies
1t is small out. of theway place on the
west coast Of Africa, barren rock, in
fact, situated about twelve miles from the
main land.
s'The French forces at the time were
actively engaged fighting against the
wild denizcns Of the desert, and a small
fortified villages,on the edge of the vas
sandy plain, Rufsque by name, had beer
converted into military base for sup
plies for the use of the little army con
centrated at that point.
II had small bungalow or residence
there, which was generally well filled by
the officers Of the different companies
with whom, I may say, / was a genera
favorite.
Gone morningG shall not forget it II
hurry, a party of five young French
men thronged into my room, all clamor
ing for me to accompany them on a hun
ting expedition.
''The natives had been unusually quiet
for the past month; the scouting parties
thrown out from the outpost had failed
to discover the slightest signs of an Arab
and no danger was apprehcnded in gal
Looping across the desert to an oasis some
twelve miles distast. 1t was a noted
haunt for tigers who prowled in the
vicinity to Stake their thirst from thu
clear waters of a spring which bublec
amid thick cluster Of palm trees.
amounted on the small but fleet Ara
bian horses, we issued forth from thu
main gate of the town we'll armed anc
equipped for the expedition, not forget
ing sundry eatables and drinkables, which
had been packed in hampers and secured
TO the backs Of high Arabian saddles.
eve were all in the highest spirits as
glided over the smooth, glittering surface
of the desert. We had made preparation:
to remain night and day at the LITTLE
oasis which doomed above the horizon
with its tall, waving palms, fragrant date
trees and graceful cocoanuts. The large
tropical foliage, the vivid colors and nu
morous voices of feathered songsters
struck me as something wonderful ant
strange, surrounded as the little spot wa
on all sides by ,oundless acres of burn
ing sandy desolation.
SECURING our steeds, the party scatter
ed through the underbrush in quest Q
anne, and being somewhat Of a novicei
such matters, followed in the rear Of
French major of cavalry, who pride6
himself upon his skill as a tiger hunter
Suddenly sharp, piercing and ter
rible roar resounded through the solitude
OF the desert, not unlike the distan
rumble of thunder. The major ha
halted, his eyes bent keenly in the direct
ion of the rustling underbrush and crack
ling sticks, denoting the presence Of til
monster.
"With horse growl Of rage, a tige
bounded from the cover of numerou
bushes, which he broke like straws in hi
impetuous career. His ears were throw
back, hair bristling with rage, mout
open, from which protruded his tongu
covered with a white foamy froth. Th
eyes of the brute were starting from h
head and flashing fire, as he rushe
toward the major who, calm, cool an
motionless as statue, waited for favo
able opportunity to deliver his fire.
'It was the first time. in my experienc
gentleman, that had ever been brougl
face to face with one Of the fierce brute
and I must confess I experienced ner
Gus thrill, sensation of dread, as
watched the cat-lil1e motions Of the fer
cious monster.
"The major waited until his enem