Connecticut western news., 1888-10-17
A Four-Footed Contest.

is no tiger of hill or jungle that c,n compar, with my Djeridg gowka Chun- der spear) for sig, strength and feroci- ty. The white stced, were he twenty fold the equine hero you claim for him, Slhib Colonel, would not evade hi' doom. H, will go down like shot, and you will no longer dispute my guardianship ov NJ ,hala, the demuro little Nautch girl ualor your wing there"
 But your Exce!lcncy" said the officer addressed, Eff the stallion should wiu, the girl will go to Bombay with me, [ cc 'rding to your august promises'
 Tho du'ky potentate waved his arm, whoso .weLstiff,ned sleeve fairy blsz,d with tho movement.
 "You have my word, sahib," was his superciliou' reply. ''Thc word of Djampudra H H,ssan, Rajah of Nagpoor, is his bond"
 Certainly" called out Major Poin- dexter, ar other rcd coated officer of the group. "But if you are so surc 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 w-s duly registered by an obsequious whitc-robed secretary at his elbow.
 The arena was deep walled circular pit, about 100 feet in diameter, aad around thi, the tiers of seats, with a capacity of 5000 spectators, rose so steeply as to glvo every one, even tho humblest, complete view of the ints- rior, and yet grant immunity from the iercest wild beasts spring.
 In addition to the throng of personal attendants surrounding tn" R h in the gorgcously tapestried State compart- ment sacred to hi, accommodation there was group of E lglish officers, resplon- dent in their scarlet uniforms.
 The first one of these to whom the Rsjah had addressed himself was Col. Mohun, and at bis side was sing ularly beautiful young Hin loo girl, thu Ma hala referred to-. Everything WIS at stake with the poor child in the unique combat that was about to ensue. Mo- hun had found her with a band of Chant dancing women or Hindoo gyp. | eSo @f lr verified 0 rumor that she was tn, last surviving child of Muley Hassan, half brother of the present Rajah ol Nagpoor, who had, after usurping the throno, foully murdered all the other rightful heirs, many of whom he had thrown as prey to his favorito tigers. The R,jah had only been prevented from wrestling Mahsla from her self. constituted protector through a whole some fear of tho British conquerors, but had at last exerted his malign aao still powerful lnslstence to such an ex tent that the present contest had beer agreed on as test of the girls guard ianship.
 Tho Rajah agreed to pit his cham pion fighting tiger Djeridg owka agains white stallion, likewise noted for hi cumulative disposition, that Col. Mohul had obtained from tn, foot hills of +h Western Chants, justly celebrated fo their fine cavalry stock, much of whicl is blooled, with pure Arabian ances try.
 Should the stallion win, Mahal
 would bo transferred to the protection
 of powerful friends in Bombay, with
 fair prospect of ono day recovering a
 least a portion of her inheritance
 Should tho tiger come off ths victor
 she was to be surrendered uncondition
 ally to her cruel and rapacious kins
 man, whose appalling character was
 sufficient guarantee of tho terrible fat
 in that event awaiting her.
 There was 2 sea-like murmur of ar
 ticipation, and all eyes wera rivete
 on one or two strong iron gratings thu
 were side by side in the wall of thu pi, on level with its sandy floor. An instant later it shot aside, an , there was an involuntary burst of ar , plause as the noble horse bounded int } view.
 , He was not largo, but perfectly pr' l portioned, with glistening coat, as (
 snowy satin, a man and tail that wel
 of light golden tinge, furnishing a COT trast as unique as it was harmonior and beautiful. Fire was in his eye, th rhythm of speel and activity in hi' fir limbs, and, as he curveted snortin around tho arena, it Was noticed th his small hoofs were shod with new an a sharp steel shoes, that fairly fashc like running rlvulet in tho sunshin with the graceful and airy movemen that scarcely seemed to touch the eartl and yet were suggestive of fierce war ness and expectancy.
 The Rajah stroked his beard ont F more and smiled again.
 'It was not mentioned in the con '- pact that Nadgka should be shod, said he. ''Still, waive tho point r can we'll afford to-"
 T Then he straightonod himself with ' cruelty gloati,g and cxultaat look, an
 thszs wss fresh burt of many throa