San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-09-28

10 MS accUmmodaVIG.i; cnele was u E.'oSp OF
English officers, Respondent in their scarlet
uniforms
The first one of these to whom the rajah
had addressed himself was Col. Mohun, and
at his side was a singularly beautiful young
Hindu girl, the Mahala referred to- Every
thing was at stake with the poor child in the
unique combat that was about to ensue.
Mohun had found her with band of Chant
dancing women or Hindu gypsies of the
Deccan, and secretly verified a rumor that
she was the last surviving child of Muley
Hassan, half brother of the present rajah of
! Nagpoor, who had, after usurping the throne,
| foully murdered all the other rightful heirs,
many of whom he had thrown as prey to his
favorite tigers The rajah had only been
prevented from wrestling Mahala from her
self constituted protector through a whole
some;fear of the British conquerors, but had
at last exerted his malign and still powerful
insistence to such an extent that the present
contest had been agreed on as a test of the
girls guardianship.
The rajah agreed to pit his champion fight
ing tiger Djeridgowka against a white stall
lion, likewise noted for his combative dis
position, that Col Mohun had obtained from
the foot hills of the Western Chants, Justly
celebrated for their fine cavalry stock, much
of which is blooded, with pure Arabian an
cestry.
Should the stallion win, Mahala would be
transferred to the protection of powerful
friends in Bombay with a fair prospect of
one day recovering at least portion of her
inheritance Should the tiger come off the
II he
tionally TO her cruel and rapacious kinsman,
whose appalling character was a sufficient
guarantee of the terrible fate in that event
awaiting her.
There was sea like murmur of anticipa-
ton, and ali eyes were riveted on one of two
strong iron gratings that were side by side
in the wall of the pit, on level with its
sandy floor.
An instant later it shot aside, and there
was an involuntary burst of applause as the
noble horse bounded into view.
Bring forth the horse! The horse was brought.
In truth ne was a noble steed,
Tartar of the Ukraine breed,
Who locked Is though the speed of thought
Were il lis limbs But he was wild!
He was roc age, but perfectly proper
toned with 4 glistening coat, as of snowy
golden hinge, furnishing a contrast as unique
-, il was harmonious and beautiful Fire
was in bis eye, the rhythm Of speed and ac
t.vity in his fine limbs, and, as ne curveted
suorting around the arena, it was noticed
tuat his small hoofs were shod with new and
slarp steel shoes, that fairly flashed like a
RAINING rivuieS in tie sunshine, with the
graceful and airy movements that scarcely
seemed TO to.ch he earth, and yet were sug-
gesJive Of fierce wariness and expectancy.
The rajan StroEli his beard once more and
smiled agG!u.
1T was not mentioned in the compact that
Nadrka should be shod," said he. Still, !
waive the poi4ti 81 well afford to-"
Then lie Strengthened himself with a cruelty
g,cat.nc and exultant look, and there was
fts,a huI,J of many throated applause not
UNI I with terror, as the other grating
shot ..u".. with a clang, and the vaunted
p2C:ia.c! # tie jungle, after springing into
tie c">n@ with a snarling sort Of roar, began
c.rc.::.., ..:l;lud and around it in ominous
si.cHcr. Win his eyes fastened on every move
=. =. 4 re Sca hon, who coolly kept revolv
IL u :Lc c,...yr, as on a pivot, head down.
an. .'e.S .Iv>".I,v - the foe.
"-5r:,...y,,H NJ > way-Djeridgowka' pet
trick" chuclled the rajah. rubbing mis- jew
eled hands together. "Sahib Colonel, in two
minutes Nadgka's satin skin will be in red
ribbons!'
The tiger was, for very truth, prodigy.
even for those days, when larger and fercer
specimens were made prisoners than now
He was four feet tall at the shoulder pre-
cisely eight feet III length from tip to tip, and
cores ondingly proportional, with a terocity
that was at That time proverUIaI throughout
India
Round and round pro,vled the monster with
no more sound than would have been PRO
duced by the footballs of kitten.
Suddenly there was an exulting roar, the
large striped bulk seemed to fly up into the
air as though hurled by springs, and he was
seen to launch out toward the white stallion
as if projected out of cannons mouth.
But lightning like as was the attack, it was
countered by movement as electric and as
effective on the part of the equine hero.
There was q white, whirling sort OK fash,
out flew the glistening steel shod heels, strik-
ing the tiger in the chest, while yet i'll mid
air, with the fo-oe OF a catapult. and hurln|
him back with a resoundtng crash against
the wooden wall Of the pit till it fairly
trembled.
The rajah frowned, while Mahala's soft
face correspondingly frightened, and the
bronze face of Mohun slowly relaxed into a
smile as he drew her slight figure yet more
reassuringly to his side; the entire British
contingent at the same time bursting into q
shout that rang and reverberated over the
shriller plaudits of the native onlookers
much like the hoarse braying of battle
horn over the squeakings and clamorings of
the flies and kettle drums