, 1888-04-12
BIG GAME IN INDIA.

It was broling hot day during the
month OF May, 1889, . time when every
body got into q cool room under the
swinging punkah or large fan, suspended
from the ceiling by ropes and pulled by
natives from the outside, 30 ~ to create q
breeze.
Col. G, and myself were talking of
going up into the Terai or large jungles
situated ON the Nepaul frontier, and about
600 miles from where we were then situ-
ated, namely, at Agra, n large military
station in the northwest provinces Of
India.
After long talk over the matter we dc
termined to go, as information told us
that large number of tigers were to be
found during that time Of the year, when
] the grass was not so thick as it was in
winter. II was my first tiger hunt, aud
In consequence was greatly excited and
rushed Off to send in an application for
leave, awaiting which I was In fear and
trembling lest 1t might be refused.
Fortune favored me, however, and I be-
gan to get ready for the fray. Taking the
advice OF Col. G, an old tiger slayer,
rs to what kind of rifles to take, the re-
suit was took the following weapons
wherewith to deal slaughter to the deadly
man eater; An eight bore rifle, double
barreled central fire 4.5O express rifle, n
| revolver and central fire twelve bore
gun for any small game that might ap-
pear on our marches such as partridge,
jungle fowl and bustard. In addition to
firearms, a strong hunting knife was car
ried for skinning the game. Shooting
coats, well padded with cotton wool, and
strong boots, trousers and helmets, COM
pleted our kit, and we were ready for q
start.
We determined to travel as far as pos
sible by night, SO boarded train bound
north at 1890 O'Clock. Having got a car
riage to ourselves, and Che automatic
punkahs In full swing, we laid our rugs
down on long sleeping seats and made
ourselves comfortable for the night. I
could not sleep, for was thinking of
the sport to come, and I worried the
colonel and =, who slept as IL going
tiger shooting was an every day occur
renee.
At z O'Clock the next morning we
changed trains, and went to a place
called Mozufferuagar, arriving there
about midday. Here ended our railway
Journey, and now began the trials of the
trip.
Imagine scorching hot day and nearly
fifty miles to go at a snail's pace, for our
tent carts could go no faster. However,
.'',.o'., pa, .su "iu .no so uay cosereu
o,,ts;S. % ~, ~, 49,. . "'nuer ,., we Say uown
Isen the nnso,,7,nss n on~au % yp,,a ~ - 90 ~
gagged thus i heard u most peculiar cry,
resembling that of q cat. asked the col
onel what 1t was, and he answered, "A
leopard" so determined to attempt to
shoot 1t, as there were no tigers in that
peighborhood.
s.oeu ,ah oi, anu eo' eniaii
goa. iro" village close ny anu 'neh pro
ceeoeu 70 'ne supposed hauhts OF the ieop-
aro' ueu tie eoae up IN an open siaoe III
Vne Junste I ani seaoeu nlyseil in q Ireo
.oou' my yarus away p"' "ei W iee-
"atu Oh 'ne gon.: ,,-x. ..
couiu see everything quite uis'ihctiy ior
nc 1rly Ioo yards' was ar1ned Win my
=. EXPRESS riIle anu re'oiVer, whlcn
Iauter weapon proveu useIui, as .he sequeI
VIII snow. SAT patiehtiy III my Tree 10.
nearly Two hours anu never heara sounu
OF hVlng creature, wheh su9dehiy low,
deep shari nearly maue me drop my rihe,
ior ~ seemed 10 come rom uhaernea.n
me. hung on, however ana looked
down, ana 70 my deignt, hoC uhhilNea
WIN nervousness, espieu iarge ieoPaIu
and couple OF Cubs. had scarcely
sighted them when the oIu leopard shlneu
the goat, ana IN an lhstant mao sprung On
It and feiiedit 10 the earth with one Diow
OF It's poweriui paws. AS she Jay mere
growing ana tapping the warm Diood
from the neck OF her Victim. 1 couid zee
her eyes g1ttering ike Dails OF nre ana i
raised my fine' for moheIt OF two
my hand shook so that 1 couid not pun
the trigger, ut last nred ana had tne
satisfaction OF seeing the leopard roll over
on its BACK without eVeha groah, WINE
the two cubs Scampereu OH into tne
jungle.
waited minute or SO and then de-
scended, foolishly leaving my rifle In the
tree, and only taking my revolver Win
me. l was soon standing by the leopard,
which was perfectly dead, having been