The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-10-11
A Four-F Contest.

'Djeridgowka will kill the stallion at
the first spring." said the Rajah, in his
lazy, arrogant and heartless way. There
is no tiger of hill or jungle that can
compare with my Djeridgowka (thun-
der spear) for siz', strength aud feroci-
ty. The white steed, were he twenty
fold the equine hero you claim for him,
Sahib Colonel, would not evade his
doom. He will go down like shot,
and you will no longer dispute my
guardianship over M4hala, the demure
littlo Nautch girl under your wing
there"
'But your Excellency," said the
officer addressed, ''if tho stallion should
win, the girl will 20 to Bombay with
me, acc ording to your august promisea'
The du'ky potentate waved his arm,
whose jewcl-stiffened sleeve fairly
blazod with the movement.
"You have my word, sahib," was
his supcrciliou' reply. "The word of
Djampudra Hassan, Rajah of Nagpoor,
is his bond"
Certainly" called out Major Poin.
dexter, another red coated officer of the
group. "But if you are so sure of your
tiger winning, Excellency, l will lay
you an additional thousand of rupees on
Nadgka, the mountain stallion"
The Rajah inclined his head in assent
and the wager WIS duly registered by
an obsequious whitc-robed secretary at
his elbow.
The arena was deep walled circular
pit, about 100 feet in diameter, aud
around this the tiers of soats,' with
capacity of 5000 spectators, rose so
steeply as to give every one, even the
humblest, a complete view of the ints-
rior, and yet grant immunity from the
fiercest wild beasts spring.
In addition to tho throng of personal
attendants surrounding the r III in the
gorgeously tapestried State compart-
ment sacred to his accommodation there
was group of English officers, resplen-
dent in their scarlet uniforms.
The first one of these to whom the
Rajah had addressed himself was Col.
Mohun, and at his side was singularly
beautiful young Hinioo girl, tho Ma
hala referred to. Everything was at
stake with the poor child in tho unique
combat that was about to ensue. Mo-
hun had found her with band of
Chant dancing women or Hiudoo gyp-
sizes of the Diccan, and secretly
verified rumor that she was the
last surviving child of Mulcy Hassan,
half brother Of the present Rajah of
Nagpoor, who had, after usurplng the
throne, foully murdered all the other
rightful heirs, many of whom he had
thrown as prey to his favorltc tigers.
The Rljah had only been prevented
from wrestling Mahala from her self
constituted protector through a whole
some fear OF tho British conquerors,
but had at last exerted his malign and
still powerful lnslstence to such an ex-
tent that the present contest had been
agreed on as test of the girls guard
ianship.
The Rajah agreed to pit his cham
pion fighting tiger Djsridg owka against
a white stallion, likewise noted for his
combative disposition, that Col. Mohun
had obtained from the foot hills of the
Western Chants, justly celebrated fol
their fine cavalry stock, much of which
is blooded, with pure Arabian ances-
try.
Should the stallion win, Mahala
would be transferred to the protection
of powerful friends in Bombay, with O
fair prospect of one day recovering at
least a portion of her inheritance.
Should the tiger como off the victor,
she was to be surrendered uncondition.
ally to her cruel and rapacious kins-
man, whose appalling character was {
sufficient guarantee of the terrible fate
in that event awaiting her.
There was sea-like murmur of an.
ticipation, and all eyes were rivete
on one or 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 ap
plause as the noble horse bounded int
view.
He was not large, but perfectly pro
portioned, with glistening coat, as o
snowy satin, name and tail that wer
of light golden tingc. furnishing con
trast as unique as it was harmoniou
and beautiful. Fire was ia his eye, th
rhythm of speed and activity in his flu
| lluuS, anu, rs Ho CurFeteu SuOItln
around tho arena, it was noticed tha
his small hoofs were shod with new an,
sharp steel shoes, that fairly flashe'
like running rivulct in the sunshine
with the graceful aud airy movement
that scarcely seemed to touch the earth
and yet were suggestive of fierce wari
ness and expectancy.
The Rajah stroked his beard ono
more aud smiled agalu.
SIT was not mentioned in the com
pact that Nadgka should be shod,
said he. "Still, l waive the point
can well afford to"
Then he straightened himself with
cruelty gloating and cxultant look, an
there was fresh burst of many throat