Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-05-25


In affairs of this kind, you know,
it is not etiquette for the parties to
go in company to the battle ground,
as pugilists do TO prize fight. We
must go separately to what "Bell's
Life'' would call a likely spot, and 7
meet there with distant politeness.
As we had to drive Il good way to /
the place pitched upon by Doolan T
and mySelf-an open space, well I
known to us all, a little way into /
the jungle-it was agreed that /
O'Flaherty and his second should |
go on an hour or two in advance, /
taking their rifles with them, in /
order to pass the time with any
sport that might fall in their way,
and that /, with my principal and |
the surgeon, should follow at the |
stated time. All of which happen |
ed as arranged. The respondent and |
Doolan departed early in the after
noon, designing to lunch at the
rendezvous; and shortly before six
the appellant, Hale, and I followed,
drove to the outskirts of the jungle,
there left our carriage, and strolled
through the trees to the place.
'"Here we are" said Hale; true
to our time; but / don't see our
friends" Euphemism for enemies.
"They've been here very late
ly," said O'Dowd, pointing to the
relics of luncheon scattered about
on the grass; 'and, faith, they've
made mighty free with the eata-
bles.'
sThe end Of a feast, most decided
ly,' said Hale; SO we are quite
ready for the beginning of a Fray
They'll make their appearance
in minute or two, no doubt
said. They're having a shot at
something in the jungle, perhaps
THE crack of rife short dis
lance off seemed to confirm my
words.
'They might have taken both
rifles with them, then, Pm think
ing exclaimed O'DOwd, picking
up O'Flaherty's, which lay on the
grass.
tWe werestanding about, O'Dowd
examining the rifle, which was
loaded, and Hale the pale ale bot
ties, which were all discharged,
when we were surprised by seeing
Doolan running towards us with
every appearance of extreme ter
1 rOr.
whats the matter?' we all
shouted.
'HereT he cried. Come here
Bring the rifle. O'Flaherty's been
carried off by tiger!'
Now, Morley said O'Dowd,
you've got your wish at last
Come alongn
And we all set off running to-
wards Doolan, who had stopped,
and was loading his rifle.
did we hit him, Phil? did we hit
him p said O'DOwd, when we reach
ed the lieutenant.
Hit him, is it?' said Doolan.
No, faith L daredn't try. l fired,
in hopes Of frightening him. Come
along! He jumped on us from be-
hind, as we weresitting on the bank
there, caught poor Tim by the
shoulder, and trundled off with
him, niver saying word, as if six
feet two were nothing to spake Of
at all. Come alOngp We were
hurrying after him all the while.
Il jumped up, picked up the rifle:
Stop, we thief! [ called out, 'or I'll
shoot you! He gave wag with
his tail, the haste, as much as to
say, Shoot away; We daren't hit
me for fear of killing Tim; and,
begOrra, II myselfsafeen enough
for the matter of that And at the
word the cratur chucked poor Tim
on to his back, as a fox does with
! goose, and away he went again
come along safer than ever, for |
| could see more of O'Flaherty now
than | could of him, bad luck to
him and l wished I'd shot at first.
l daredn't touch the trigger for the
/ life of me, now, you understand; so
| followed till he stopped, after a
bit, and lay down with Tim before
| him, and then l shot, not at him,
for fear of killing Tim, but in the
hope of frightening the brute. But
sorra a bit did it frighten him; it
only made him gnash his teeth, and
| Tim was between 'em, yell recOl-
| lect. So then | ran back for the
other rife, and met you, and-and
| have a care now, we can't be far off
him, unless he's elOped with Tim
again, which the saints forbid, for
it's mighty unpleasant way of
travelling
HE had not eloped with Tim.
He was still lying, where Doolan
had left him, with his mouth so
close to poor O'Flaherty's ear, that
he looked as if he were whispering
into it. What was to be done?
The very thought of firing into him
across OFlaherty made my hand
shake. We all stood still for a mo-
ment or two, staring at the tiger
and his victim.
Now then, who's going to shoot?'
said DOOlan. Somebody must, or
faith poor Tim will be minced veal
before he knows where he is. But
I'll be hanged if it's me that's going
to do it. You're the best shot, Den
mis-"
Shoot, O'Dowd,' said I. Il dar-
emit, for the life Of me-
Faith it's risky shot for certain,
said O'DOwd; but if we stand here
and do nothing, there'll benO chance
for him at all. Now, bark we, gen
tlemen, he said, throwing up his
thoroughly fine fellow, you all
huOWs L III SURF llIttu lIlOuSH L vas
anxious enough to shoot o Flaherty
standing opposite me at twelve
PAGES, I'd be the last man in the
world to take advantage of him
now. All right-all right. There,
that's enough! Upon me sowl, then
[ never thought otherwise for
moment. Look here, now. Give
Morley youl rife, Phil, and you
and Hale stand triffe back. Now
Morley, my boy, I'm going to creep
in thought nearer. Keep you just
behind me. I'll blaze away at him
first; and | shall hit him, don't be
afraid for that. If he springs right
at us, cover him well and let fly. If
he only jumps up, hand me your
rifle, and I'll bang at him again.
Dye understand me?'
Perfectly
Follow me, then"
'ODowd stepped gently towards
the tiger, and | followed his steps
closely. When we were within a
dozen yards of the animal, the tiger
dropped O Flaherty's arm, which it
had in its mouth, and lifted its
head. O'DOwd sank on to his knee
instantly, looked along his barrel