The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-03-03


day.-Wide Aw0Ee.
Tackling q Tiger.
In the afternoon we continued on our
march, but with no signs of being likely
to meet with sport, and about four
o'clock we turned toward our camp.
We marched along carelessly, without
observing order or caution, and were
not prepared to take advantage of Ak
bars warning when he exclaimed: ''Be-
ware, Sahib?' and full grown tiger
went past us at gallop. A struggling
volley was fired after it, and, although
evidently not struck, the beast stopped,
and rearing itself on its hind legs clawed
the bark of tree just as cat scratches
the leg of chair or table. Mr.. Grant
and myself fired simultaneously, but
without effect, and before a thought of
the creatures intention had time to flash
through my mind, was down underits
claws.
Selling me by the left thigh, the tiger
shook me as dog shakes q rat; and
then growing horribly, dragged me at
tremendous rate through the thick I'M
dergrowth of the forest. / heard the
frightened shouts of my companions,
and the report of several shots, and then
q dizziness came over me, but l did not
lose consciousness. As l was jostled
through the forest I several times caught
hold of the trees, but the tiger, growl-
ing fiercely, shook me free in an instant.
All this time, though quite calm and
collected, felt a strong desire to pre-
serve my existence. and never for mo-
ment experienced that apathy with re-
gard to my danger that some persons
have described under very similar cir
cumstances.
How long was in the jaws of this
an age before the creature stopped. My
companions afterward declared that
had been dragged at least half mile.
They followed as fast as they could
run, and although / was unaware of it
at the time, never lost sight of the beast
To this circumstance undoubtedly owe
my life; for had there been any delay in ,
me assistance it must have
been fatal to me.
The moment the tiger halted it re-
leased my thigh, and seemed to be at
tracted by the approach of my compan-
ions, though, as yet, did not see them
myself. Taking advantage Of this release,
[ tried to creep to the shelter of some
tall bushes near at hand. In an in
slant. and with terrible roar, the
creature pounced upon me, Selling me
this time by the shoulder, and lacerating
my chest with his claws. A shot was
fred and 1 heard the bullet whistle over
head. Fear of hitting me had caused
hem to fire so high.
The second and third shots were
equally unsuccessful, and the tiger,
again releasing me, began to lick up
he blood which oozed through my
acket. l began to feel very faint, and
Gould not repress q groan. Several
lines the tiger dabbed his paws, appar-
entity in play, about my face, but did
lot use its claws, very fortunate for
me-. Presently the beast seemed to be
'eized with sudden rage, and COM
nenced to spit like an angry cat atsome
'ne approaching, whose footsteps
Gould hear, but could not see him, for
was lying fiat on my back. There
vas the sharp bang of q rifle close to
ny head, heavy weight fell across
ne, and then comprehended that NV
'rave friend Grant was pulling me from
lnder the dead body of the tiger.
Captain Lucy and some of the natives
anne up and proceeded to stanch the
low of blood from my wounds. That
N my thigh was the worst The flesh
vas bitten and torn to such an extent
hat the bone was visible
The wounds on the chest were also
evere, but my shoulder was not very
much injured. When the bleeding was
topped tainted, and, upon recover
ng consciousness. found / was bsing
arried along on . rough litter formed
t boughs. l suffered great pain. ses-
ecially in the leg. and was exceeding
7 thankful when we arrived 1t our
amping place. q
As soon as the news spread about
hallangat that q tiger had been slain, .
be people came crowding around our
emit to see it. The 6ub-bub thew
reated was horrible. There was shout
az. singing. beating of tom-toms and
runs, blowing of reeds, dancing and
xulting over the dead animal. In nv
'eak state the noise was particularly
'ritating; and as it was in vain to APP
cal to the sympathies of these people.
he dead beast was removed to q dis
ance, where the rejoicing continued all
light.
The following day fever set IN, and
oward noon became delirious. With
few lucid intervals, / was in this state
Or five days.-From "John Bradley
Q Burm0h."
DIR. James McCosh, the President of
'rinceton College, is an excellent base
all player.