The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-22
INTERESTING STORIES.
some Curious and Startling Advent
ures in the Tiger Country.

tain ranges in the north, there is one par
ticular region which is sort of Garden of
Eden for them, and from which they will
not be driven for the next hundred wears
II is the Bengalee district, lying between
fbe Ganges on the north and the head
waters of the Walawala on the south. Here
Is an expanse of country 600 miles long by
as many wide, without a railroad, only
three or four towns of any size, and not
over three government highways. 1t is a
country of hill and valley and creek and
Jungle and extensive forest, full OF fever
and subject to epidemics, and any increase
of population is prevented by natural
cause. A direct line from Calcutta across
10 Bombay would cut this district in two
and open it, but they refused to run the
railroad across it.
| put in four months in that district in
company with two English naturalists and
a party of army officers, and every day
brought its adventure with reptile or
wild beast Getting as near as we could by
the railroad which runs from Indur to ALA
hatad, we struck out on foot and were soon
beyond civilization, and in the midst of
primitive nature. We had not gone five
miles from the railroad when panther
which had made his lair in a thicket was
driven out in alarm by the noise of our
march, and three or four of the hunters
fred and dropped him. We had been out
week before l caught sight OF tiger, and
it was then under such circumstances as to
make me doubt whether I should ever see
another. We had four army tents, which
we're packed in sections on the backs of the
natives when we were on the move. These
we're for the use of the whites, and | was one
of three who occupied one of them in camp
We had been out four days when l got
thoroughly wet and was taken with chills
and fever. Quinine would break it inside
of two or three days, but in the mean time
I must go slow and not over. exert myself.
stuck to camp, and on the third day,
about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, went
sound asleep in my hammock. This was
slung under the tent about two feet from
the ground, and within three feet of the
rear wall. 1t was warmish day, but with
delightful breeze, and, as the fever had
gone. fell into deep sleep. just about
the time | went to sleep Capt. Williams.
who had been out for a couple of hours
with his gun, came in and reported tiger
in dry ravine about a mile away. He had
had two snap shots at the beast, but had
missed him. He had carefully marked
down the location, and after getting a bite
to eat most of the party set out with him
to finish up the beast. One naturalist re-
NAMED behind to overhaul some of his
effects, the other took native and went off
after birds, and three of the natives were
left to mind the camp. The party had no
sooner gone than the trio stretched out in
the shade and went to sleep. The native of
India Is like the native of Africa in that
respect, and never loses an opportunity to
catch Il nap.
When the party reached the spot where
the tiger was last seen, the beaters were
sent in, but they worked for half an hour
and failed to arouse him. He had done
what tigers often do, bolted at the first
alarm. They turned out big hyena, how
ever, and it was concluded that the officer
had mistaken this beast for tiger. He
contended to the contrary, and was not
satisfied until the heaters had examined
every lurking place in the ravine. When
the tiger bolted he must have made direct
for our camp, and he must also have been
pretty badly frightened. Something broke
my sleep and opened my eyes. was lying
on my right side facing the open doorway,
4 and IN that doorway, not over five feet
/ away and looking full at me, was tiger
My heart bounded into my throat, the blood
/ rushed to my head, and for a moment
thought should suffocate. Then went to
/ the other extreme and was as cold as ice. /
had not made the slightest movement aside
from opening my eyes. 1t was not from
nerve, however, but simply because l was
incapable. l was not sure for half min
ute but that my eyes were playing me a
trick. When I knew that the dreaded beast
lowered DER me l could do nothing but
stare at him. Had not been so badly up
set. / should have observed that ne was
Skulking He stood there with his tail
down for a couple of minutes, uttered two
or three whineS of anxiety, and then
bounded straight over me and crouched
down between my hammock and the tent.
| had myl back to him now, but l could
hear his every breath and movement and |
grew SO weak that everything turned dark
for few moments, and the tent seemed to
be whirling around. Far away 1 could
hear the row created by the beaters The
tiger probably heard more of it than l did,
for he moved un5asily and continued to
whine.
Men tell about how slowly time ticks
away in moments of peril. The tiger, as
near as | could afterward calculate was in
hiding about fifteen minutes and no week
ever spun out so much time for me- When
ne got up he put his nose against my back
and shifted and snuffed, and just when /
expected to feel his teeth he walked around
the foot of the hammock, stood in the door
lor moment and then bolted for the near
est cover, 1t was we'll that had witnesses
or should have been set down as light
headed from the fever. The naturalist and
MS man who had been prowling around the
outskirts of the camp, both saw the tiger
leave the tent, and both came running in,
expecting to find me victim.
About three weeks later, when I was in
the best of health, Capt. Williams and
three more of US left camp to rid village
ten miles away of a man-eater. The
weather was oppressively hot, and in fol
lowing ravine to keep its GOODNESS as long
as possible we lost our course and went sew
eral miles out of our way. We were still
Two miles from the village and it was near
SHUTDOWN, when thunder storm came
up We were in pretty open ground when
ehe nrst flash of lightning came, and know
ing that it would soon be followed by a
uownpour of rain we made dash for a
grove to our right. / fell before had gone
zen steps, and As | got to my feet thunder
SHOOK the earth, and the rain drops began
70 patter flushed ahead in what | sup
posed was the direction my comrades had
gone, but as It afterward appeared / bore
OH TO the right, missed the grove entirely,
ana Just as tie flood gates of heaven opened
dashed init native hut on the edge of a
clearing. Ibid not see the hut until close
on 1t, and eitered it supposing it to be in
hablted. Fen when [ called aloud and
got no reSphse, and knew by the sound of
my voice tat the hut had been abandoned,
lreasonedthat was on the outskirts of
tne village and that my companions had
Iaken sheter III huts near by.
Inc stfm had long been gathering, and
aus oiachess brought night at once. As
soon as Ae lightning began to play l could
nee nj the lterior of the hut by the flashes.