St. Landry democrat., 1888-03-31
IN THE JUNGLE.
a Nights Adventure With a Til
ger in Lower Burmah.

ger III Lower 6UTu1dus
Two Englishmen go up the Salween
river, in lower Burmah, in three
canoes, with some seven or eight ma
tives (Karens) to hunt a sambhu1
(tiger, or man-eateC. The canoes
contain two goats, to be used fol
bait, and tent, besides arms and
ammunition. After describing hard
struggle with the river, the writer tells
the story of a night in the jungle.
BY and by we reach the end of the
gorge and emerge upon wider part Of
the river, where the current is less
powerful and we can make better pro-
gress. From long stretch of sand
which now forms the left bank we are
hailed by some Burmans who have
camped there to cut bamboos on the
neighboring hills, and, crossing over to
hear their tidings, we learn that large
tiger (all tigers are large until they are
shotO has visited the locality every
night since their arrival the week be-
fore. 1t roars so much that they are
afraid and can not sleep, and hope the
white strangers will bring their guns
and kill it. We listen to their tale OF
woe. and then run the canoes ashore
No mistake aboutit Numerous pugs on
the sand confirm the bamboo cutters
news. so the baggage is landed and the
tents pitched in the shade of the jun
gle.
We have landed on a belt of forest
which, during the monsoon, is an
island, for behind it there is another
broad, curving sweep Of sand, studded
with rocks and pools, and strewn with
teak logs. Here and there the forest
is divided by narrow creeks which
mark the course of the river when in
food Beyond the strip of sand are
lofty hills, whose bamboo-covered
slopes afford concealment to plentiful
game. for sambhur tracks cross and
recross the sand in every direction, the
edge of one particular pool showing it
to be favorite resort of the deer for
their nightly drink.
The place was beyond all doubt the
regular beat of tiger, probably the
one of which Easton had heard the sto-
ries that had lead to our expedition.
Pugs old and recent formed many def
mite, well-trodden paths, one of which
ran within a few yards of the bamboo
cutters hut, though concealed by jun
gle. He was certainly not very far off
now, and We congratulated ourselves
on our luck in finding him.
There is much difficulty as to the dis
posal OF the goats tonight with
s'Stripes" in the immediate neighbor-
hood, and our decision to tether them
near the 'lean-to" is productive of a
good deal Of grumbling. Tie up goats
close beside poor naked boatmen!
Why, they will cry all night, and when
the tiger comes it will certainly take a
man instead; not doubt of it! Near
the tent, noY, would be much safer
place. However, we persuade them
that there is no danger (for there re-
ally is money, and finally after lighting
large fires at four different points |
round the lean-to, the occupants con-
sent to picket the goats to stakes near
it.
Easton and !, posted in our nachans,
patiently watched our goats until day, |
undisturbed By the tiger. We have all |
read the thrilling accounts of success
full shooting published in the sporting |
papers from time to time; but no one |
obtrudes record of his monotonous |
wakefui nights. fruitlessly spent among
the gloomy surroundings Of the jungle
waiting for the tiger that does not
come.
Disappointed perhaps unreasona-
bly, at the tigers failure to give us a
meeting on the night we were prepared
Tor him, we next day decided to let
him take his chance, and arranged to
spend the approaching night on the
lookout for the sambhur which had
tempted our guns on the previous one.
! selected for my ambush nook on a
low, sloping rock. overlooking large
pool round which there were numerous
fresh tracks OF deer. This nook 1 had
rooted in roughly with kline grass to
keep off the heavy dews and to assist
In concealing me.
4 was q lovely moonlight night,
clear and cold, when I took no NV
station shortly after dark, accom-
panied by young karen, to whom / /
intrusted the responsibility Of keeping
me awake. Hour sfter hour we sat
there, three feet above the level OF the