The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-05-23
A STRANGE ATTACK.
BY THOMAS STEVENS.

BY THOMAS STEVENS.
The jungles of the Umballa district,
Central India, are in places swarming
with wild monkeys. Generally speaking
the monkeys are timid and harmless,
and take to the trees when they see a
human being. Along the highways,
however, they have become accustomed
to the sight of people, and are much
bolder in their dcmeanor. Here they
sometimes scarcely think it worth while
to move out of the way for the native,
and the sight of European with his
white face sets them to making grimaces
and chattering excitedly. The monkey
is held sacred by the Hindoos, and they
are never harmed or in any way molested
by them; in fact almost every village in
this part of India has monkey popula-
tiOn living on the most amicable terms
with the people. The soldiers sportsmen
Of the British garrisons, however, have
no scruples about shooting the sacred
anthropoids. From some cantouments,
every day sees soldiers out in the
junsles on shooting leave, their chief
sport being monkeys.
One day in the winter of 1882 two
lon. commissioned officers of the regi-
ment stationed at Umballa obtained four
days shooting leave and struck out into
the jungle. Twenty miles from the can
tsnment was the bungalow of Scotch
civil engineer who was in charge of
section of the famous Jumna canal. This
gentleman's bungalow the two sportsmen
expected to reach some time during the
second day, remain there over night and
then shoot their way leisurely through
the junge back home again. The inter
mediate night, 10th coming and going,
was to be passed in alittle native village,
occupying rice. clearing. The officers
met with good sport on the way and had
got within mile or so of the outskirts
ofthis clearing when they found them
selves in section of jungle that was
literally swarming with monkeys. The
Peepul trees were full of jabbering black
faced apes, and the bushes and cane
brakes were fairly alive with them.
Long strings, one behind another, in
Indian file, romped along the. narrow
bullock trail that they were following,
their impish faces looking back over
their shoulders at the white intruders.
The monkeys seemed to be getting
unduly bold and familiar, and with the
idea of soaring them off the English
men Hanged away at them right and
left, knocking several of them over.
TO their astonishmenr, however, they
found that this usually successful method
seemed to have contrary effect. In
stead of dispensing and making them
selves scarce the monkeys became greatly
excited at the noise of the guns and the
night Of tLeir fallen and wounded COM
panions. If the jungle seemed alive
with hundreds before, it was evil
dently peopled now by thousands. Every
tree and every bush seemed crowded
with monkeys, screaming, chattering
and making grimaccs at the two sports
men. The monkeys leaped with angry
cries from tree to tree in d.. es, sour
ned through the jingle in long files,
showing their while teeth and squeak
ing angry defiance. Far and near the
jungle resounded with their cries, until
the officers could scarcely hear the sound
Of their own voices. More and more
monkeys seemed to be coming from
every directi N.
The Englishmen now began to appre-
hend danger. Though such thing as
Wild monkeys attacking human Leings
was rare:y heard If, it was very evident
that the angry legions Of anthropoils in.
tended mischief, now if never before.
The situation was alarming, to say the
least. There is no animal so active as a
monkey in his native iungles, and large
droves of them are feared aid dreaded
even by the wild elephants aud tigers.
The sportsmen hurried al yng toward the
village in the hope of leaving the swarms
Of monkeys to the rear; but their trouble
some threateners were not to be So easily
shaken off. They seemed to be getting
angrier, and from the branches overhead
commenced to fling down pieces of dead
wood. The bullock trail behind was
flled with an excited crowd that ap-
Feared to be working themselves into a
frenzy by making terrific leaps up and
down, and giving uttcrances to hoarse
srunts and angry squeaks.
Remembering the effects of their last
shots, the sportsmen thought it ad-
yissble to preserve their ammunition for
time when they might, peradventure,
need it to defend their lives. Every
minute the attitude of the monkey mob
became more bold and threatening
missiles came in showers from the tree
tops, monkeys leaped and bounded
through the bushes close around them,
evidently screwing up Their courage for a
direct attack.
Once the soldiers charged with dubbed
guns among the mob that was following
them at the distance of but few yards.
For few minutes they succeeded IN
dispensing the labble, but both were
badly bitten in the fight, and before
they had gone hundred yards the
hubbub at their heels was more angry
and threatening than ever. Repeatedly
they had to turn round and make feints