Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-07-17
"Nonsense, Mohammed,"I replied.

llllu ali lnc Uuuules
By Sweet Sixteen" l meant my six
teen-shooting Henry rifle, my compan-
ion in several hunts.
"Sahlb shall see," replied Meham-
med. "Nlaybe glad to have rocket near
by SOON"
l ceased to argue with Mohammed,
and we proceeded in silence along the
path. The east all aglow with the fer
vent blush that heralds the rising sun,
the dew was sparkling on every tree
and bush in the jungle, and myriads of
birds were singing their morning melo-
dies Of praise 10 their Creator.
We walked briskly along the road
that wound through the jungle to the
lonely tank, and just as we arrived
there, up leaped the the broad red sun,
pouring a blaze OF gold on the surface of
the water.
The tank was an immense artificial
reservoir, built in times past by some
pious prince to preserve the blessing OF
abundant water IN that dry climate. AS
we came near it was alive with water
fowls.
Ducks and wild geese innumerable,
of various bright colors, swan to and
fro, gabbling loudly. Peacocks screamed
discordantly from the enclrcling jungle,
and monkeys and parrots keptup their
harsh chorus.
At the further end Of the tank, near
" quarter Of mile long, stosd a
huge elephant, drinking peacefully,
willie several herds Of deer and ante
lope stood near and shared the enjoy
ment. Iplainly saw that It was use
less to approach by the front, and there
fore, motioning to Mohammcd to follow
me, plunged into the jungle, intend
ing to make a circuit and intercept the
elephant.
But ha ! miscalulated the Difficult
ties of the path. Ere long l had lost
the direction Of the tank, hidden so
from view in the thick jungle, and was
wandering | know not where, among
copses of low bushes interspersed with
taller trees and little open glades, where
the coarse yellow sHrpul gra S lay mat
ted all over the ground
| tolled on for some time, thinking |
was parallel with the tank, but could
see no opening anywhere, and at last l
turned around to inquire the way cfmy
follower. But Mohammed had dis
appeared. Whether he was scared at
my temerity in venturing alone into a
tiger.haunted jungle, or had failed to
keep up with me on account of his
heavier load l could not tell. All l
knew was that l was alone, and lost in
the jungle.
began to feel little neryoss, but
| poo-hoohed the thought Of danger, and
would remember the direction to the
tank, thought. and pushed toward it.
| tried to calculate the distance of the
sun by this time from tho east, and
started in the direction l thought the
tank ought to be. 1 stole cautiously
and quietly on, not daring to make
much noise on account Of the supposed
vicinity Of tigers, and began to flatter
myself [ shoul reach the tank safely,
when l suddenly halted spellbound.
Right before me, within ten feet. lay
a huge royal tiger, as large as an OK,
fast asleep,
The old rascal had been out all night
and was enjoying his morning nap,
curled up like an old tabby cat. He had
not heard my footsteps, and halted IN
dead silence. He lay right in my path,
and l could not pass him without
waking him. I was afraid to lose nay
direction, for fear l might wander
ad mfnitam in the devious tangled
Jungle. Still l could not pass on with
oat disturbing the tiger. L would have
tried bullet, but, from the position in
which he lay, l should have probably
missed his BRAIN or heart. | stepped
softly back to retreat, keeping my gaze
fixed on the tiger, when. as luck would
have it, my very first step brought me
on dry stick, which snapped in two
with a loud noise.
In an instant the tiger awokc.
Only partially, however. He was
dazed with the light in his eyes, aud
danced around with an inquiring stare.
No time was to be lost.
was not twelve feet from the huge
brute. and well within his spring. l
sont "Sweet Sixteen" to my shenlder,
and aimed right between the fierce, green
eyes, as the tiger half rolled up on his
side with his head raised. As pulled
the trigger, the flash and smoke OBJ
.cured everything from my vision for a
moment, but heard no sound ; and as
the smoke cleared away, / beheld the
striped monarch ofthe jungle lying dead
before me.
But had scarcely time to note this,
when, horrors on horrors! up started
five tigers within radius OF twenty or
thirty feet, and stood staring at me
with apparent astonishment They
could not have been more astonished
than was to see them.
The striped coat of the tiger, brilliant
as it appears, is yet so we'll snlted to
the color Of the jungle, as to be we'll
nigh invisible. Hence my ignorance OF
the proximity Of the beasts.
Ny hair began to rise right up on my