The Southern herald., 1888-09-08
THE KING OF BEASTS.
The Tiger, Not the Lion, Fairly En-
titled to the Name.
His Great Courage, Strength and Superior
Activlty--An Adept in Strategy and
CUNNINGHAM Englishman's
Adventure In .
Cave,

For several reasons the tiger is fairly
entitled to the name Of "King of Beasts"
an honor which has long been borne by
the lion. He is more courageous than
the lion, fully equals him in strength,
and possesses superior activity. He
makes less noise while seeking his
prey, and is consequently more danger
our than the lion, and he attacks ami
mails from which the so-called "King"
will flee as soon as he knows OF their
presence. The lion often displays down.
right cowardice, which is not the case
with the tiger, and in strategy and cum
ming the tiger is an adept.
Tigers are far more destructive than
lions, both among men and the lower
animals. Ordinarily they do not attack
men, but as they grow old and are un-
able to cope with deer, buffalos and cat
tie, they are apt to become man-eaters.
They lie in wait by the roads and paths
and spring on the unsuspecting natives,
whom they generally kill at the first
blow of their powerful paws. Having
once tasted human flesh, and learned
how easily it is obtained, they continue
to be man-eaters as long as they live. A
single man-eating tiger will depopulate
a large area, as the natives fee in ter-
ror, and can not be induced to work in
the fields or pass along the roads.
In one district of India a man-eating
tiger killed one hundred and twenty
seven persons in a short time, and
caused complete suspension of business
for several months. Another tiger
killed one hundred and fifty persona in
three years, compelled the abandon
ment of many villages, and threw two
hundred and fifty square miles of land
out of cultivation. The Government
offered one thousand dollars for the
head of this tiger, and he was finally
killed by an officer of the army,
Tigers are hunted in a variety o.
ways. The Oldest plan, said to have
originated with the Chinese two or three
thousand years ago, Is to place look
ing-glass inside trap which has. {
heavy beam suspended above it. ThC
tiger secs his own face in the mirror
and takes it for another animal of hi
race. He rushes forward to attack it
and in so doing springs the trap and tn,
falling beam crushes him with it
weight. ..
He is caught in pitfalls, shot from
Mychans or stands erected near hi
path, and baited with goat or sheel
which is tied at little distance, and h
is killed by means Of poisoned arrow
discharged by bows set in his path an
let off when touched, In some parts Q
India several large leaves covere
with a sticky substance are place
in his path; he steps on one and tries t
remove it by rubbing his paw on hi
face. The leaf adheres to his face an
blinds him, and in his struggles he roll
on the ground and more and NOR
leaves are added He roars with anger
and the hunters, who have been COZ
cealed few hundred yards away, com
with their weapons, and despatch hin
While in India was invited to tige
hunt on a grand scale, after the manne
usually practiced when Europeans al
concerned. Nearly a hundred elephant
were drawn up in line at the edge of
jungle where the tigers were suppose
to be concealed; the hunters were seate
in the howdahs on the backs of the ell,
plants, and held their guns ready fl
the work as soon as the game shOul
come in sight. Several natives wei
sent to the other side of the jungle
act as beaters and drive the tigers
the direction OF the hunters. The
made a great noise with horns al
other instruments, and kept up CO.
tinual popping OF guns; of course Il
din thus created caused the tigers
flee to the other side of the jungle, ,whic
appeared to be the safest, that whe
the hunters were waiting for them.
Six tigers in all were killed, but full
as many more escaped. Some OF the el
plants became frightened, and the
drivers lost control of them for sho
time, but fortunately no accident Q
CURED. Sometimes elephants run ava
and the men in the howdahs are dash
against the limbs Of trees or throw
to the ground.
Two hunters usually occupy a sing
howdah on one Of these expedition
] Fortune threw me into the companic
shipof an experienced hunter, an offic
who had lived some thirty odd years
India, and was passionately fond of I
!, tiger-chase. He told me many stori
of his hunting adventures, which | ha
no space for here, with the exception
one which related how he once went
!. sleep in tigers den.
Hunting tigers with elephants
. tairly dangerous" said he. "but the