Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-08-06


the cover violently sgitated, and In
moment out sprang our two friends.
When within twenty or thirty yards
they perceived us, and Immediately
sprang into cover toward U.S. Now
although they were so near us---for we
could see their approach by the oc-
caslonal shiver OF the grass reeds-yet
SO stealthy were their movements, and
SO close did they squat, that we could
not catch sight of them. We threw
stones down into the cover and fred
random shots, but for some time with
out success.
AT length, with kind OF deep growl,
one tiger jumped into water-course
Immediately underneath us, disappear
ing as quickly. | saluted HIM with a
ball through the loins as he sprang
past my post, which he acknowledged
with an angry roar. Both my COM
panlons also fired, and the one who
had clear range greeted his arrival
with sundry balls in divers parts of his
body, which made him roar out con-
tinuously; he then disapp cared in
large jungle on our right rear.
Had we followed, it would have been
case of hands and knees, as the ascent
was both steep and slippery; so we
reluctantly gave up all pursuit of No. l
for the present, and turned our atten-
ton to No. 2. This animal still kept
close in the cover, although we rolled
large stones down into every part of it,
yet there was no getting him out. We
now resolved to shit 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 intercourse at
the top of his speed. Then followed a
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
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. 2 had taken
refuge III the water-course at the end
of the ravine undera 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
head, and thus advance Oh 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
| with one companion and our gun
bearers took up an opposite position.
AT 1t we went again, the beaters' yells
this time getting little fainter, as these
gallant gentry, although they were
ready enough to reproach as with cow
ardlce for refusing to come down and
beat the ravlne, by no means felt COM
Portable, and 1t was quite laughable to
see each one IN succession trying to
bolt. No. 2 was getting sulky, and held
close for some time; at last he came
away with rush, passing about twenty
yards to my front, but edging away to
the right. Both my companions hit
him on the shoulder, but did net get a
shot at all the brute then turned to
charge our party, when shot caught
him across the loins, and crippled him
sufficiently to induce him to alter his
mind, and relinquishing all warIike
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
a beater called out that we had passed
the tiger. We all retraced our steps,
and examined what at first sight APP.
peared to be a yellow mass. No. rs
tail however, put the doubt to flight,
and the triumphant shikarree looked
round on his would-b6 doubters. His
triumph was short-lived however, for
on looking round he perceived one OF
my companions on his knees, about 10
fire. He threw down his gun, and turn