Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-08-07

close IN the cover, although we rolled
large stones down into every part of it.
yet there was no getting him out. We
now resolveI to shift our ground, and
crossing the water-course ten or fifteen
Yards beyond, we scrambled up the
opposite bank, where our heaters met
US. had scarcely planted my feet on
the opposite bank when, with a mighty
roar, out sprang No. 2 from the cover,
and scuttled down the water-course at
the top of his speed. Then followed
scene which deties description. Excited
almost to madness at seeing the game
SO close, [ seized my guns one after the
other, and commenced snipe-shooting
at the flying brute. My companions
were cooler; but still when the tiger had
disappeared, we found that not one of
Us had loaded barrel. We saw him
fall twice on his way down to the stream,
so we felt certain he was wounded.
Our next step was to advance along
the top of the bank till we got down to
the cover whence the tiger originally
came. From this elevated situation we
could see our friend No. had taken
refuge IN the water-course at the end
of the ravine under shady bush, and
we fired some random shots to try and
dislodge him, but without success. A
consultation, solemn and, on the part
of the natives. stormy, followed our
failure. We none of US liked the looks
ofthe jungle, yet we knew we should
have to force a passage through 1t as
the only way of getting the tiger. Fl
nally we settled to form a wedge shaped
procession, putting ourselves at the
head, and thus advance on the foe. To
work we went, and, bowling, and yell
ing as if for bare life, we advanced on
the bush, getting tolerably TORN in the
process. The tiger let us come within
four Or five yards of him. when up he
sprang, and galloped through the
long reed cover to his original den,
without even giving us the chance of
shot at him. We now divided our
party; one of us with the heaters went
round to the south of the jungle, while
L with one companion and our gun
bearers took up an opposite position.
At 1t We went again, the heaters yells
this time getting a little fainter, as these
gallant gentry, although they were
ready enough to reproach as with COW
ardlce for refusing 10 come down and
beat the ravine, by no means felt COM
Portable, and it was quite laughable to
see each one in succession trying to
bolt. No. was getting sulky, and held
close for some time; at last he came
away with a rush, passing about twenty
yards to my front, but edging away to
the right. Both my companions hit
him on the shoulder, but did not get
shot at ALL the brute then turned to
charge our party, when a shot caught
him across the loins, and crippled him
sufficiently to induce him to alter his
mind, and relinquishing all warlike
movements, he craWled away into the
thick jungle. We now joined our
forces, and all together commenced to
beat down the hill, where the Jungle,
being very thick and close, ard the
ground covered with creepers, rendered
walking most difficult. We had slowly
advanced about half way through, when
beater called out that we had passed
the tiger. We all retraced our steps,
and examined what at first sight ap.
Deared to be a yellow mass. No. rs
L,
and the triumphant shikarree looked
round on his wOuld-be doubters. His
triumph was sholt-lived however, for
on looking round he perceived one OF
my companions on his knees, about to
fire. He threw down his gun, and turn
ing q somersault over the nearest bush,
botted as hard as he could possibly go.
The effect Of the shot was wonderful.
The first roar was quite enough for the
beaters and shikarees, who throwing
down guns, sticks, cloths, in their flight,
all bolted with the exception of two
men, who might SIS we'll have followed
their comrades for all the use they were
to US. We were thus left alone to face
the brute with only rifle apiece. Ny
companion, who fired, remained in the
same position for minute or so, and
catching sight of the tigers shoulder as
he came round the tree and down hill
toward us, fired his last ball, and
brought the brute down on his side, but
ne instantly rose and began staggering
down the hill.
The tiger now advanced straight upon
me, but on account of tie thick Jungle
we could only catch occasional chances
ofhim as he reeled along. Ashis shoal-
der came broadside toward one of nv
companions, he fired. Unfortunately.
however, his right barrel missed fire,
but the bullet from the left caught the
tiger on the elbOw-bOne and foored him.
Up ne got again, however, and bestCw-
ing look ofrage and pain ON his paw,
which he held up for the purpose, ne
gave howl which | shall not forget in
a hurry, and continued his staggering
course toward us. He was now about
four yards in front of us, with his chest
exposed. immediatly deposited a
ball in it, and the brute fell, but rose
almost Instantly; fired again; the tiger
came down, but still again he rose. l
came to the conclusion that the beast
was not born to be killed. All this pass
ed in couple of minutes, which ap-
peared hours to us, aud when he came
up quite close we had only empty bar
relS and no means of loading. | turn
ed round in hope of finding a gun, but
tripped and fell almost immediately.
The last shikaree's wits escaped with
our last shot: he stumbled with spear
he had in his hand, and ran it through
the leg of one of my companions, bring
ing him to the ground as if he had been
shot. | had hardly been down half a
minute, when the tiger seized me; his
teeth rang together like castanets as
they met in the heshy part of my leg.
We both rolled over together to the
place where my friend had lust
been brought to the ground by the
spear. The tiger, letting go of me. now