Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-05-23
CAtilNG a TIGER.
How they Perform the Feat at Singa.
pore.

The interest of the community of Sing
pore was lately excited by the announce
ment that fine tiger had been captured
i'll pit situated in Chinaman's gar
den.
The pit in which the tiger was caught
was circular and measured eleven feet
deep and three feet in diameter contract
ing slightly at the bottom. 1t was dug in
sandy clay, and as the sides were clean
cut the tiger was not able to escape by
scrambling up. The situation was on the
margin of a jungle forest, and the pit
along with others had been ding for the
purpose of capturing wild pig. These
pits are covered with thin stickR and grass
or leaves, sc that any unwary anima, is
quite unaware of the snsound state of
the ground.
AS soon as the owner of the pit into
which the tiger had fallen was aware of
his prize he covered the mouth of the pit
with strong planks and at once looked
around for purchaser, who was soon
found. The sum Of $125 was paid for
the tiger as it lay at the bottom Of the pit,
ana it afterwards cost $50 to have him
Gagged al d conveyed to Singapore.
For nearly six days the poor captive lay
in the pit (being fed very sparingly so as
to reduce his energy, and the operation
of cacing the tiger WAS put i'll the hands
OF six Malays, who, as race, are noted
for their knowledge of woodcraft and of
the habit of animals.
The manner in which the Malays work
ed was much to be admired Every ar
rangement was most complete, SO that no
accident could in all human probability
occur. There seemed no fear and no hur-
ry, while in addition to their endeavors
to bring their labors to successful con-
cluslon, they seemed to have thorough
sympathy with the victim, whom they
treated as gently rs aspossible.
The first thing done was to rig up
strong beam az II height of about nine
feet over the hole, and this was supported
on well secured uprghts, to which it was
firmly lashed with withes
Na1t there were prepared two cylin-
drlcal baskets made of green rattan. One
of these baskets measured two feet in
diameter and eight feet long. The other
was made just sufficiently large to be
passed into the larger one for the pur-
pose Of giving additional strength. One
end of each basket WAS open, while tue
other was closed, with the exception of Il
hole about three inches in diameter, the
use of which will be afterwards explain.
ed. Having jammed the smaller basket
INTO the larger one, the walls of both
were firmly laced together throughout
with withes to avoid any chance of slip
ping.
Finally two new hemp ropes two aud
three-quarter inches in circumference
were prepared with running nooses.
Small pieces Of stick were passed through
l,np ltA 70. Ia
from running before required to do 30.
AS socn as II few long poles were cut
and prepared, with fork on some and
pieces Of wood lashed on others to form
hooks, all was ready for the operation.
The plnnks 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 lower
ed on to the tigers head, which intrusion
u y he resisted violently but by skill ant
= patience, the Malays managed to get tn,
u moose over the tigers head and round hi
: neck. This WAS ,iltctel by mapeuvripl
his paws and mouth with the poles. A
spuu as the moose was i'll position 1t wa
-, drawn tight enough to prevent its beini
. removed by the prisoner. The other rop
-, was then passed down and secured in
. similar manner. The operation OF plac
:, ing the two nooses round the neck occu
= ped twenty three minutes.
T. The ends of the ropes were then passe
~ through the cylindrical baskets. TIL
- basket was Il . placed mouth downward
o. p, over the pit, and when all was secure an
% ready, the word to haul WAS given, an
' =. the tiger was drawn up head foremost int
- the basket. which was only large enong
= to receive him, and thus he was unable I
70 struggle with effect. AS soon as he ws
y well into the basket the whole WAS draw
'L up and then laid on its side, when I'll
Vi mouth of the basket was ut once laced NJ
pi leaving nothing but the tigers tail pr
q, trnding. When all was fast the noos,
~ round his throat were slackened, 40 as
VI admit Of his breathing freely I'll
a. nooses were, however, still left round h
III neck for after operations.
. The basket was now slupg on pol
y and with its contents borne where a ca,
/, was Ill readiness to receive him.
u s~ Decorative ART. Explicit dirfoiions