Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-02-17
Thrilling Adventure with a Tiger.

/ sccOnd-caSs matter.l
Thrilling Adventure with a Tiger
/ The following is taken from book pub
| lishcd in 1916, entitled, a Narrative oil
Travel and sport in Burmah, Siam and the
Malay Peninsula, written by John Brad
| Icy one ola party of three adventurous hunt
! cyS. lie had Il rough introduction.
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 towards our camp. We marched
! along carclessly without observing order OF
! caution, and were not prepared to take advan-
/ iugc OF A<bars warning when he eNcaim-
cd, Beware, sahbn and IL tnll-grown tiger
went past Us at Il gallop. A struggling VOL
! ley was fired after it, and although evident
ly not struck. the beast stopped, and rearing
itself on lis hind legs clawed the bark of a
tree just as q cat scratches the leg of chair
or table. Mr.. Grant and myself fired SIM
utancously, but without effect, and before
Il thought Of thc creatures intention had
time to flash through my mind, ! was down
under its paws.
''Scizir@ me by the left thigh, the tiger
shook me rs dog shakes rat and then.
growing horribly, dragged me at u tre-
mcndous rate through the thick under
growth Of the forest heard the fright
cncd shouts Of my companions and the re-
port OF several shots, and then dizziness
! came over me; but ! did not lose conscious
ness. As | was .jolted through the forest |
several times caught hold Of the trees but
the tiger. growing iiercey, shook me free
in an instant. All this time, though quite
calm and collected felt Il strong desire to
preserve my existence, and never for mo-
mcnt experienced that apathy with regard
TO my danger that some persons have de-
scribcd under very similar circumstances.
How long was III the Jaws of this brute
cannot tel. 1t seemed to me an age before
the creature stopped. My companions after
wards declared that had been dragged at
Icas! halia mile. They followed as fast as
they could run, and although was unaware
OF it at the time. ncvcrlost sight of the beast.
70 this circumstance | undoubtedly owe
nv life: for had there been any delay in
rendering me assistance it must have been
fatal to ne.
The moment the tiger halted it released
my thigh and seemed to be attracted by the
approach Of my companions: though. rs
yet. / did not see them myself Taking adj
vantage Of this release ! tried to creep TO
the shelter Of some tall bushes near ut
! hand. In an instant. and with terrible
roar, the creature pouncc0 upon me, seiz-
ing me this time by the shoulder. and lac
Grating my chest with lis claws 4 shot
was fired, and | heard the bullet whistle
overhead. Fear OF hitting me had caused
them to fire too high \ second and third
shots were equally unsuccessful, and the
tiger again releasing me, began 10 lick up
the blood which oozcd through my jacket
| began TO feel very faint. and could not re-
press Il groan. several times the tiger
dabbled his paws, apparently in play, about
my face, but did not use its claws, very for
I-tunatcly for me. Presently The beast SEEM
cd 70 he seized with sudden rage, and
commenced 10 spit like an angry cat at some
one approaching, whose footsteps | could
hear. but could not see him, for | was w.
ing lat on my back There was the sharp
| bang Of u rifle close to my head, heavy
weight fell across me, and then | comprc-
| hcndcd that my brave friend, Grant, was
| pulling me from under the dead body ofthe
! tiger.
Capt. Lacy and some Of the natives came
up, and proceeded 10 staunch the flow of
| blood from my wounds. That on my thigh
was the worst. The flesh was bitten and
! torn to such IN extent that the bone was
visible. The wounds on the chest were
also severe. but my shoulder was not very
much injured. When the bleeding was
stopped tainted, and upon recovering con-
sciouSness found was being carried along
on Il rough litter formed Of boughs. | sut-
| frrcd great pain. especially in the leg; and
was exceedingly thankful when we arrived
at oar camping place.
! AS soon as the news spread about Shall
| langat that tiger had been slain the people
came crowding around our tent to see it.
! The huhhub they created was horrible
There was shouting. singing, beating of
tomtoms and drums, blowing of reeds
dancing and eXulting over the dead ami
mai. In my weak state the noise was par.
ticuIarly irritating: and as it was in vain
to appeal TO the sympathics of these peo
pie, the dead beast was removed to dis,
tancc, where the rejoicing continued nearly
all night.
The following day icver set in. and to-
wards noon | became dclirious. With Il
few lucid intervals. was in this state tol
five days
Ii was Il month before Mr. Bradley wa:
able TO ride This was the only real close
shave experienced by any Of the party
though they had plenty Of stirring advcn
lures.