The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-01-02
FOUR FOOTED COMBAT.
Thrilling Scene.

9Djeridgowka will kin the stallion at
the first spring. said the rajah, in his
lazy, arrogant, and heartless way. There
is no tiger of hill or jungle that can COM
pare with my Dieridgowka thunder
spear for size, strength, and feroeity.
The white steed, were he twenty-fold the
equine hero you claim for him, sahib
colonel. would not evado hisdoom. He
will 70 down like shot and you win no
longer dispute my guardianship over
Mahala, the demure little Nauich girl
under your wing there"
aBut, your excellency, said the officer
addressed, ''if the stallion should win the
girl will go to Bombay With me, accord
ing TO your august promise %
The dusky potentate waved his arm,
whose jewel stiffened sleeve fairly bIazed
with the movement
you have my word, sahib,' was his
supercilious reply. THE word OF Diam
pudra Nassau, Rejah Of Nogpoor, is his
bond
Certainly called out Maj. Poindexter,
another red coated officer Of the group.
4But if you are so sure Of your tiger win
ming, exeellency, will lay you an addi-
tional thousand of rupeeson Nadgka, the
mountain stallion"
The rajah inclined his head in assent,
and the wager was duly registered by an
obsequious white robed secretary at his
elbow
The arena was deep walled circular
pit. about one hundred feet in diameter,
and around this the tiers Of seats, with a
capacity Of five thousands spectators, rose
so steeply as to give every one, even the
humblest, complete view of the interior
and yet grant immunity from the iiercest
wild beasts spring,
In addition to the throng Of personal
attendants surrounding the rajah in the
gorgeously tapestried state compartment
sacred to his accommodation, there was a
group of English officers, Respondent in
their scarlet uniforms.
The first one of these to whom the
raiah had addressed himself was Col.
Mohun, and at his side was singular
beautiful young Hindoo girl, the Mahala
referred to- Everything was at stake
with the poor child in the unique combat
that was about to ensue Mohun had
found her with bancssof Chant dancing
women or Hindoo gypsies of the Deecan
and secretly verified a rumor that she
was the last, surviving child of Muley
Hasaan, half brother Of the present rejah
of NagT.oor, who had after usurping the
throne, murdered all the other rightful
heirs. many Of whom he had thrown as
prev to bis favorIte tigers. The rajall
had only been prevented from wrestling
Mahala from herselEconstituted protector
through a wholesome fear Of the British
conquerors, but had at last exerted his
malign and still powerful insistence Il
such an extent that the present contest
had been agreed on as a test of the girl:
guardianship.
The raiah agreed 10 pit his champion
fighting tiger Djeridgawka against white
stallion likewise noted for his combativt
disposition, that Mohun had obtained
from the foothills of the western Chants
Justly celebrated for the fine cavalry
stock, much of which is blooded with /
pure Arabian ancestry.
Should the stallion win, Mahala woulc
be transferred to the protection Of power
f1l friends in Bombay, with fair pros
pect Of one day recovering at least por
ton of her inheritance. Should the tige
come oiTvictor, she was to be surrendered
unconditionally to her cruel and rapa
cious kinsman, whose appalling charaete
was sufficient guarantee Of the terrible
fate in that event awaiting her.
There was sea-iike murmur of anti
cipation, and all eyes were riveted on on'
oftyo strong iron gratings that were sid'
by side in The wall of the pit, on leye
with its sandy floor.
An instant later it shot aside, and ther
was an involuntary burst of applause a
the noble horse bounded into view.
Bring forth the horse The horse was brought
In truth he was a noble steod,
A tartar of the Tkraine breed.
Who looked a though the speed Of thought
I 1T D.. q
He was not large, but perfectly pro
portioned, with glistening coat as O
snowy satin, name and tail that wer
of a light golden tinge, furnishing a con
trast as unique as it was harmonious ant
beautiful. Fire was in his eye, tn
rhythm of speed and activity in his limb
and as he curveted snorting around th
arena it was noticed that his small hooi
were shod with new and sharp stee
shoes, that fairly flashed like a runnin
rivulet in the sunshine. with the graceful
and airy movements that scarcely SCENE
to touch the earth, and yet We're sugge:
tive of a fierce WEAKNESS and expectancy
) The rajah stroked his beard once NOR
and smiled again.
at was not mentioned in the compaC
that Nadgka should be shod,' said he
"stili, l waive the point; | can We
afford to-"
Then he streng thened himself wit
a cruel, gloating and exultant look, an
:here was a fresh burst of many throate
applause, not unmixed with terror, as th
other grating shot back with clang, an
the vaunted monarch of the jungle, afte
springing into the arena with a snarlin
sort of roar, began circling around an
around it in ominous silence, with h
: eyes fastened on every movement of II
stallion, who cody kept revolving in tn
! ! center, as on pivot, head down an
: heels invariably to the foe.
: ~Djerdgowka's way-Dierdgowka's p
, trick p chuckled the rajih, rubbing h