The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-01-02

The tiger was, for very truth prodigy
even for those DAYS when larger and
fiercer specimens were made prisoners
than now. He was four feet tall at the
shoulder. precisely eigh. feet in length
from tip to tip, correspondingIy proper
toned, with feroeity that was at that
time proyerbial throughout India.
Round and round prowled the monster
with no more sound than would have
been produced by the footballs Of a
kitten.
Suddenly there was an exulting roar,
the large striped bulk seemed to hg up
into the air as though hurled by springs
and then was seen to launch ont toward
the white stallion as if projected oDt Of a
cannon's mouth.
But lightning-Ike as was the attack, il
was countered by movement as electric
and as effective on the part Of the equine
hero.
There was a white, whirIing sort Of
flash, out flew the giisiening, steelshod
heels, striking the tiger in the chest
while yet in inidair With the force Of a
eatapult, and hurting him back with a
resoundiug crash against the wooden wall
of the pit till it fairly trembled
The erajah frowned, while Mahala soft
face cor.espondingiy Frightened, and the
bronze face Of Muhun slowly relaxed into
a smile as he drew her slight figure yet
more reassuringIy to his side the entire
British contingent at the same time burst
ing into & shout that rang and reyerbera-
ted over the shriller plaudits Of the native
onlookers much like the hoarse braying
of battle horn over the squeaking and
clamorings of the iifes and keetle drums
sAnOther thousand on Nadgkan cried
Poindexter, excitedly fiuttering two i'm
gers at the poten;ate in betting book
fashion. ~ whole lac Of rupees, if l
only had them What says your excel
lency ?"
Diampadra Ilassan composedly nodded
his assent, and the wager was recorded.
"It was Djeridgowka's Grst miscaleula-
ton; his impaiience had over-reaehed
ITSELF he said, strokiRg his heard once
more. "Watch him now He will make
up for the faux pas, as the French would
say
Apparently but slightly injured by his
repulse, though painting slightly the tiger
had resumed his silent, wa,chful eircling
of the arena, seemingly Sith no more
want OF confidence III himself than il
they had not been in the least interrupt
ed
But the stallion was now seen 10 have
changed sofar that Wilde resuming his
pivotal gyrations his head, in lieu Of his
hindquarters, were now presented to the
front
Another breathing interval Of ofsuspense
followed by fresh hurtiing on the par
ofthe tiger.
But it was countered even more effect
lively than before Crouching and gliding
under the flying black and yellow bulk
much as a gazelle might erouchingll
evade a lammargeyer's hurtling swoop
out few the glstcning heels again at jus
the right instant, this time bringing al
with a tremendous impetus on the mon
ster's flank, 50 that when Djeripgowka'
revelations were resumed, as they wen
almost instantly, il was with a suleI
1 halfgasping air, and with perceptibls
limp that betokened more than triiiinl
injury to his hips.
Another thousand to five hundred OF
the stallion - yociferated Poindexterye
again over the many voiced. is it a 20
/ your excellency2 Or, 90 you three t
one ~
The raiah's Oriental composure ha'
deepened into something more thai
Oriental guinness and his cruel gaz
roamei from the tiger to the begun
now radiant-with snoldering fierce
ness of dissatisfaction but he, neverihe e
less. inclined his head majestically, an
the third additional bet was registered
But again and again was the tiger
spring repeated, and with no better su'
cess. save that on one occasion one Of hi
mighty forepaws managed TO fetch tn
brave steed long raking stroke aion
the lions, ripping hisskin into stripes an
staining his silver coat with blood.
1t was now foregone conclusion ths
Nsdgka would be the victor The En
glishmen roared themselves hoarse; eve
the natives yelled their unrestrained d,
light. in spite of their masters frownin
displeasure; while little Mahala fAirl
clapped her hands and boun led in he
seat at tho side Of her stern-visaged pr.
tector.
But Djeridgowka, though plainly dii
piri,ed. had as vet suffered no positivel
disabling injury, and it was quickly es
dent that he intended to make one moi
effort to retrieve the day.
Without the slightest warning he SUI
denly changed his tactics by sweryin
from running instead Of leaping directi
toward the horses lowered crest, unit
within compile of yards, and the
launching himself forward. like the veri
able thunderbolt for which he was name
f,,lI at Na5rkafs throat
But the stallion was not there 10 mel
it. having danced to one side with III
rapidity Of thought. Then and befoI
the tiger could recover from ths shock q
striking the opposite wall the pit crash
crash crash successively were the stee
shod. terrible heels launched, each tin
reaching the mark with arrowy precisio
and bone-crushing force.
And then the jungle monarch was sec
running whimperingly around the skir
of the arena on three legs and with b
Jaw hopeIessly broken-conquered, d
feated, and with the sole object Of effec
ing a skulking escape from his yictorio'
foe.
The rajlh made the sign BY which b
, favorite was permitted to make good h
retreat, and then with bow to G
Mohn, turned to go with his suite.
"One moment, excelleney" shouts
Mahala's protector. "Deisn, ifyou pleas
to formally announce that the victory
with Nadgka, and my little friend here
to continue under my guardianship
The potentate did so with none Of q