The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1879-01-11

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again the roarings of the tigers, al.
though the noise seemed at some dis.
lance. Then we followed our guides,
taking by.path. The great number
Of roots and branches which the tenn
pest had strewn 10 the way rem
dered our flight SLOW aud difficult Mr..
Smart, although still full of agility,
walked with difficulty, and 10 order
not to leave him behind, We were
obliged to stop from time to time.
We proceeded thus for a quarter Of
an hour, when q piercing cry from
ono Of the Indians warned ia that
the tigers were upon our scent. We
found ourselves before q bridge of
reeds which some one had thrown
over . torrent. 1t was dangerous
passage, but one that it was impor.
tant should be made.
Colson, Fern and myself crossed
without accident, but Smart was etill
in the middle Of it, endeavoring to
preserve his equilibrium, when We
saw the tigers in a neighboripg wood.
As soon as they perceived US they
bounded forward, uttering terrific
cries. At this moment Smart reach.
ed the end Of the bridge; Fern, Co..
con, the two guides and myself climb
ed the highest rocks which were just
before us.
During this time Smart, although
the tigers were close upon him, lost
not his courage, but preserved his
presence of mind. He drew his hunt.
ing-knife from bis sheath, aud cut the
cords which bound the bridge to the
bank 10 such manner AZ to place,
apparently, an almost an insurmount.
able obstacle between our enemies
and himself. Scarcely had he accom-.
plisbed the task when We saw the
tigresss leap toward tho torrent,
which she endeavored to cross with q
bonnd. The muscular strength of the
animal gave way before it reached
tho middle of the stream. Il fell and
was torn into q thousand pieces upon
the points of the rocks.
The unhappy end of his companion
did not discourage the male, who,
with vigorous spring attempted to
pass the ravine F.; but he touched the
bapk only with his fore paws. Sus.
pended in this manner, he eudeav.
ored to gain q footing.
AT this moment Smart, who held
his hunting.knife with q firm hand,
plunged it up to tho handle in the
animal. But the monster, collecting
lie strength, fixed his hind paw upon
q small portion of projecting rock and
succeeded in selling Smart BY the
leg. My heroic friend preserved all
lie bravery. In order to sustain him.
self, he chung to the trunk ola tree
with his left hand, and again and
again he forced his hunting. knife into
the breast Of the tiger.
Fern and myself ran to his aid.
Colson, seizing Smart's gun, dealt the
tiger vigorous strokes upon HE head,
and the animal loosened his hold and
was precipitated into the abyss.
Poor Smart had tainted. The blood
flowed freely from his wound. The
natives gathered some plants, the ap.
plicat'on Of which stopped tho hemor.
rhage.
It was then evening, and we passed
the night in that place iu the shelter
Of some rocks, before which the In.
dams built q FIRE in order to keep tho
fer0ci0us beasts ct q distance.
The next day oar guides carried our
unfortunate friend to the village
where We had spent the night prece.
ding the accident. He vas placed
upon an oxtemporised litter :; bat
poor Smart coon expired.
After l had attended tho funeral
rites of the kind hearted man, I hast.
eued to leave the place which would
ever recall to mo such terrible 70.
membranes, and I pro6ted by tho
fret occasion to return to Europe.