Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-05-22
Csging a Tiger at Singapore.
London Field

Dftn 1AptuIsu III plL Situated IN
Chlnaman's garden close 10 the eight
milestone on the Bukit Tina road
leading to Johore. This road, usually
almost deserted, became alive with
spectators proceeding either bv car
rage, on horseback or on foot to and
from the scene Of the capture.
The pit in which the tiger was
caught was circular, and measured
eleven feet deep by three feet in diane
ter, contracting slightly at the bottom.
II was dug in sandy clay, and as the
sides were clean cut the tiger was not
abe to escape by scrambling up. The
sltuatlCu was on the margia of a
Jungle forest, and the pit along with
others, had been dug for the purpose
Of capturing wild pigs These pits are
covered over with thin sticks ana
grass or leaves, SO that any unwary
animal IS quite unaware of the un-
sound state of the ground. 1t is
presumed that the tiger was either in
pursuit Of a wild pig. or was vending
his way TO an adjoining farm yard.
when he got into difficulties.
AS soon as the owner of the pit into
which the tiger had fallen was aware
Of has prize, he covered the mouth of
the pit with strong planks and at once
looked around for a purchaser, who
was soon found. The sum of 1925
about goo was paid for the tiger as
il lay at the bottom of the pit, and il
afterward cost $50 to have him Gagged
and conveyed to Singapore. While
negotiations were being carried on
specta tors were permitted to look at
the magnificent animal, for which
purpose the covering of planks was
partially removed. He did not at all
relish these visitors, and gave marked
signs of disapproval by growing and
springing up. He had, however.
very little room for movement, but
on one occasion nearly reached the
top of the pit.
For nearly six days the poor captive
lay IN the pit being fed very sparing-
ly so as to reduce his energy, while
preparations were being made for
caging him At first large square
hole was dug adicent to the pit and it
was intended TO place the cage into
this hole, having done which the par
tition of earth between the hole and
the pit was to nave been knocked
away and the tiger driver into the
cage. After the hole was dug the
plan was, however, abandoned as 1T
was clumsy and dangerous, and the
operation Of caging the tiger was put
in the hands of six Malays, who, as
a race, are noted for their knowledge
of woodcraft and of the habits of ami
mails |, with two other officers and
a lady of the garrison, we're the only
Europeans who were fortunate enough
to witness the rare sight of cagiug
wild tiger, and | will attempt to des.
cribe the operation in detail.
The manner in which the Malays
worked was much to be admired.
Every arrangement was most com
pletc, so that no accident could in all
human probability occur, and when
the difficult parts of the work were
going on, strict silence was maintain
ed among the operators, each of whom
seemed to know his role with exacti-
tude, and all worked like one machine
There seemed no fear and no hurry,
while. in addition to their endeavors
to bring their labors to a successful
conclusion, they seemed to have
thorough sympathy with the victim,
whom they treated as gently as pos
sible.
The first thing done was to rig up a
strong beam at a height of about nine
feet ever the hole, and this was sup
ported on well-secured uprights, to
which it was firmly dashed with
withes. Next there were prepared
two cylindrical baskets made of
green rattan. One of these baskets
measured two feet in diameter. The
other was made just sufficiently large
to be passed into the larger one,
for the purpose of giving additional
strength. One end of each basket
was open, while the other was closed
with the exception of a hole about
three inches in diameter the use of
which will be afterward explained.
Having damned the smaller basket
into the larger one, the walls of both
were firmly laced together through
out the withes to avoid any chance
of slipping Finally two new hemp
ropes, TWO aUu Onc-Htli luCHSS III
circumference, were prepared with
running nooses Small pieces of
stick were passed through the rope as
shoppers, to prevent the loop from
running before required to do so. AS
soon as few long poles were cut and
prepared, with fork on some and
pieces of wood dashed on the others
to form hooks, all was ready for the
operation.
The blanks covering the mouth of
the pit were then slightly separated to
admit of the ropes and poles being
passed down. The moose of one of
the ropes was lowered onto the tigers
head, which intrusion he resisted
violently; but by skill and patience
the Malays managed to get the moose
over the tigers head and around his
neck. This was effected by maneu-
vering his paws and mouth with the
poles. AS soon as the moose was an
position, it was drawn tight enough to
prevent its being removed by the pris
H..