Wichita eagle., 1888-08-30
A FOUR FOOTED CONTEST.

"Djeridgowka wiz kill the stallion at the
first spring." said the rajah, in his lazy,
arrogant, and hearrless way. There is no
tiger Of hill or jungle that can compare with
my Djeridgowka thunder spear, for size,
strength, and ferocity. The white steed,
were he twenty fold the equine hero you
claim for him, Sahik Colonel, would not
evade his doom He viii go down like a shot,
and you viii no longer dispute my guardian
ship over Mahala, the demure little Nautch
girl under your wing there"
'But, your excellency, +" said the officer ad-
dressed, IF the stallion should win, the girl
Will go TO Bombay with me, according TO
your august prornise.'
The dusky potentate waved his arm, whose
jewel stiffened sleeve fairly blazed with the
movement
You have my word, Sahib," was his super
ciIous reply. ''T'he word of Djainpudra
Hassan, rajah of Nagpoor, is his bond"
Certainly" called out Maj. Poindexter,
another red coated officer Of the group. But
If you are SO sure Of your tiger winning, ex-
cellency, l viii lay you an additional thou
sand Of rupees on Nadgka, the mountain
stallion"
The raiah inclined his head in assent, end
the wager was duly registered by an obse-
quious white robed secretary at his elbow
The arena was deep walled circular pit,
about 100 feet in diameter, and around this
the tiers of seats, with capacity OF 5000
spectators, rose SO steeply as to give every
one, even the hurnblest, complete view OF
the interior, and yet grant immunity from
the flercest wild beasts spring.
Ia addition to the throng of personal at
PENDANTS surrounding the rajah in the COR
geously tapesTied state compartment sacred
To his accommodation, there was a group Of
English officers, resplendent in their scarlet
uniforTnl
The first one Of these to whom the rajah
had addressed himself was Col Mohun. and
at his side was singularly beautiful young
Hindu girl, the Mahala referred to. Every
thing was at stake with the poor child in the
unique combat that was about to ensua.
Mohun had found her with band Of Chant
dancing women or Hindu gypsies Of the
Deccan, and secretly verified a ruInor that
she was the last surviving child of Muley
Hassan, half broth5r of the present "a ah Of
Nagpoor, who had, after usurping the throne,
fouLy murdered al the other rightful heirs,
many Of whom he had thrown as prey TO his
favorite tigers. The rnjah had only been
prevented from Wrestling Mahala from her
self constituted protector through a whole
sonesfear of the British conQuerors, but had
at last e1erted his malign and still powerful
insistence 70 such an extent that che present
contest had been agreed on as a test of the
girls guardianship.
The rajah agreed to pit his champion fight
ing tiger Djeridgowka against a white stall
lion, likewise noted for his combative dis
position, that Col Mohdn had obtained from
the foot hills OF the Western Chants, justly
celebrated for their fine cavalry stock, much
OF which is blooded, with q pure Arabian an
cestry.
Should the stallion win, Mahala would be
transferred to the protection of powerful
friends in Bombay, with fair prospect of
Que day recovering at least portion Of her
inheritance. Should the tiger come OFF the
victor. she was TO be surrendered uncondi-
tionally to her cruel and rapacious kinsman,
whose appalling character was a sufficient
guarantee OF the terrible fate in that event
awaiting her.
There was n sea like murnlur of nnticipa-
ton. and all eyes were riveted on one of 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 applause as the
noble horse bounded into view.
Bring forth the horsel The horse was brought
Ii truth be was noble steed.
4 Tartar OF the Ukraine breed,
Who looked as though the speed Of thought
Were II his limbs But he was Wild
toned, with Z glIstening coat, rs of snowy
satin, a name and tail that were of a light
golden tinSe, furnishing contrast as unique
as it was harmonious and beautiful Fire
was in bis eye, the rhythm OF speed and &C
tivity in his fine limbs, and, as he curveted
snorrirg around the arena, il was noticed
that his small boots were shod with new and
sharp steel shoes, that fairly flashed like &
running rivulet in tie sunshine, with the
graceful and airy movements that scarcely
seemed to touch the earth, and yet were sug-
Eestive OF fierce wariness and expectancy.
The rajah stroked his beard once more and
smiled again
1T was not mentioned in the compact that
Nadgka should be shOd," said he. ''StiIl,
waive the point-I can well afford to-"
Then he Strengthened himself with cruelty
sloauing and e1ultant hook, and there was a
fresh burst Of many throated applause, not
unmIxed with terror, Us the other grating
shot back with a clang, and the vaunred
monarch Of the jungle, after springing into
the arena with snarling sort Of roor, began
eircling around and around il in oninous
silence, with his eyes fastened on every move
me1t Of the stallion, who coolly kept revolv-
ing in the center, as on q pivot, head down,
and heels invariably 20 the foe.
"Djeridgowkais way-Djeridgowka's pet
trick!> chuckled the rajah. rubbing his jew
eled hands together. ''Sahib Colonel, in two
minutes Nadskas satin skin VIII be IL red
ribbousgn
The tiger was, for very truth, a prodigy,
even for those days, when larger and fiercer
specimens were made prisoners than now.
he was four feet tall at the shoulder, pre-
clSely eight feet in length FROM tip TO tip, and
correspondinSty proportioned, with ferocity
that was az that tins proverbial throughout
India
Round and round prowled the monster with
no more sound than would have been pro-
iuced By the footballs OF kitten.
Suddenly there was an exnlting roar, the
large striped bulk seemed to fy up into tie
air as though huTied By springs. and be was
Been to launch out toward the White stallion
Is If projected out Of oaunoa's mouth.
But lightning Ike SIS was the attack, it was
rountered by movement SIS electric and as
effective on the Part OF the equine hero.
There was wklee, whirlns sort Of fash,
out few the glis,ening steel shod heels, strik-
iny the tiger II the chest, while Vet n mid
air, with the fierce Of a catapult, and hurllnc
biz, hack n ith O rsssoun,iirS crash srai-s.