The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-06
A Four-Footed Contest.

Is no tiger of hill or jungle that c.
compare with my Dj3ridgowka (thur
der pear for siz,, strength and foroci
ty' The white steed, were he twont
lold the equine hero you claim for him
0ahlD Colonel, would not evado hi
doom. He will go down like 2 shot
and you will no longer dispute m,
guardianship over MahaIa, the dcmur
nttIo Nautch girl under your WING
there"
'But your Excelloncy," said tht
officer addressed, 'if the stallion gbouIi
"ln' the girl will 90 to Bombay with
me, according to your august promiseY
The du'ky potentate waved his arm
whose jeweI-stiffoned sleeve fairy
blazed with the movement.
''You have my word, sahib" was
his supercilious reply. ''The word of
Djompudra Hassan, Raiah of Nagpoor
Is his bond"
Certainly" called out Major Poin
dexter, another red-coa officer of the
group. 'But if you are SO sure of YOUR
tiger winning, Excollency, l will Law
you an additional thousand of rupees on
Nadgka, the mountain stallion"
The Rsjah inclined his head in assent
and the wager VS. duly registered by
an 0O5equlous whito-roDed secretary at
his elbow.
1he 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 tho
humb1est complete view of the int.-
rior, and yet grant immunity from the
tiercest wild beasts spring.
In addition to the throng Of personal
attendants surrounding tn R h in the
gorgeOusly tapestriad &C., ~---r---
nent sacred t. his accommodation there
was a group of E ;lish officers, rcsp.on-
dent in their scarlet uniforms.
The first one of these to whom the
Rajah had addressed himself was Co..
Mohun, and at his side was a sin.u,arIv
beautiful young Hin loo girl, thY Ma
haIa referred to. Everything WIS at
stake with the poor child in the uaiQro
combat that was about to ensue. No
hun had found her with a band OF
Chant dancing women or Hlndoo eyD-
sizes Of the Deccan, and secretly |
verified a rumor that she was tho
last surviving child of Muloy Hassao,
half brother Of the present R3iah Of
Nagpoor, who had, after usurping the
throne, foully murdered all the other /
rightful heirs, many of whom he had .
thrown as prey to his favorite Tigers. .
The Rejah had only been prevented |
from wrestling Mahala from her SELL
constituted protector through a whole
some fear Of the British conoderors,
but had at last cxertod his maIirn a7d
still powerful Inslstence to such an cx-
,ent that the present contest had been
agreed on as test Of the girls guard
anship.
The Rajah agreed to pit his cham
oion fighting tiger Djeridg gowka against
| white stallion, likewise noted for his
,omb bative disposition, that Col. Mohun
lad obtained from the foot hills Of the
Western Chants, justly celebrated for
heir fine cavalry stock, much of which
5 blooded, with pure Arabian anccs-
ry.
Should the stallion win, Mahala
would be transferred to the protection
f powerful friends in Bombay, with
air prospect of one day recovering at
east a portion Of her inheritance.
hould the tiger como off the victor,
be was to be surrendered uncondition
lily to her cruel and rapacious kias-
ian, whose appalling character was a
ltflcient guarantee Of the terrible fate
/ that event awaiting her.
There was 4 sea-Iike murmur of an
cipation, and all eyes were rivctei '
n one or two strong iron gratincs that {
'ere side by side in the wall of the pit,
4 level with its sandy floor. {
An instant later it shot aside, and {
lere was an involuntary burst of ap- T
ause as the noble horse bounded into Z
ew.
He was not large, but perfectly pro- n
with glistenin5 coat, as OF c
owy satin, maae and tail that were r
light golden tinge, furnishing con
ast as unique as it was harmonious $
ID beautiful. Fire was in his eye, the c
ythm of speed and activity in his fno h
nbs, and, as he curveted snorti1g t
ound the arena, it was noticed that
s small hoofs were shod with new aad 81
arp steel shoes, that fairly flashed b
% running rlvulet il the sunshine,
tn the graceful and airy movements \
at scarcely seemed to touch the earth, Ii
d yet were suggestive of fierce wari- Il
SIS and expectancy, d