The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-08-16

eater.
The mahout. trained and skilled
hunter, experienced no difficulty in
following the trail. Soon il left the
deeply wooded country. and ascended
the slope OF the foothills, which from
the sandy character Of the soil were
denuded of all vegetation, save for
few sparse shrubs clinging In the shade
OF the rocks scattered here and there
on the surface OF the slope
After an hours hard running ON this
ground, into the trcacherous soil OF
which the heavy footsteps OF the elo-
phant sunk deeply, aud whore II re-
quired the frequent application OF the
goad 10 compel the winded animal 10
maintain the tremendous pace at which
we were going, we came To n long. low
ridge, at the top OF which were few
stunted trees. We were about 90
emerge from these, when the mahout
brought the elephant 10y n single word
to "a sudden halt, and leaning forward
pointed TO n continuation OF the slope
in front OF us.
At the foot Of "A rocky encampment
the tiger had just come 10 a halt, and
standing as he was sideways from us,
facing up the hill, not two hundred
yards away. his every motion was
clearly 10 be seen. His head was
raised and his eyes were fixed on the
mouth OF cave distinctly visible In
the face OF the cliff.
La his mouth was the body OF tho
child. gripped In his iron jaws by the
waist cloth, insensible, IL not dead.
At any rate IL showed not the slightest
sign OF life. Twice raised my rifle
TO my shoulder, and twice forebore 20
fire, rs at the slightest noise tho man
eater might resume his flight, and with
that would vanish all hope OF saving
the child's life II he yet breathed.
IL was while we thus gazed upon the
scene that with a low, purriug sound,
IA beautifully spotted female tigrcss is-
sued from the mouth OF the cave and
her aspect, unlike that OF her ferocious
mate, was singularly gcntlo--even
mournful.
What struck me as most peculiar ut
this juncturo OF affairs, however, was
the conduct OF our guide He had no
sooner set eyes on this second animal
than his dusky face became OF an ashcn
color and he tremblod violently.
"My God" he said. They are the
nan-caters OF Bhopal. We killed the
cubs the week before last. 1he old
ones are supposed TO have gone mad.
II they detect our presence they will
undoubtedly attack US.
Whilst | knew that Rachottoc, tho
driver, was only yielding 20 his super
stitious fears, and that the danger OF
two tigers successfully coping with two
determined men, both good shots,
mounted on an elephant, was moro
imaginary than real, yet the words OF
the mahout sent n strange thrill through
me. despite myself. They must be the
same beasts whom Baker had lately
told me about, who when the cubs wero
killed had charged upon the beaters
again and again, horribly manglinE
several OF their number and finally es-
Gaping into the mountains, only slightly
wouuscd.
Although generally accounted n
brave man, must confess 20 feeling
Of considerable trepidation as gazed
upon the gigantic proportions aud fero-
cious aspect Of these animals and knew
that as any moment we might be- en-
gagged in "A life or death conflict with
them.
But up 10 this, time they appeared 10
be totally unconscious OF our presence.
We deemed II best not 10 shoot, but 10
await developments.
Presently the mHn-catcr, despite tho
ominOus growls OF his partner, laid the
body Of the child upOT the ground aud
placing his paws updl IL was about 10
attack il with his huge teeth. The un-
fortunate woman by my side, unable
10 bear the sight, covered her face in
her hands Her low means were pitiful
90 hear. Suddenly, before the man
eater could bury his huge fangs In tho
tender flesh, the tigrcss, with roar
like thunder, spranR upon her lord,
and in another moment the huge beasts
were at IL tooth and nail. | have
sat IN the amphitheater at Madrid
and seen the baited bull mad
dencd with rage, dash down upon
his tormentors; have seen the wild
boar Of Hungary, brought 20 bay, turn
sayagely upon his foe; have socn the
passions Of anger and hatred depicted
in many forms and in many climes; but
never have ] witnessed any thing %
equal the dreadful aspect Of those two
gigantic animals as they tore and BIT
each other in the 6ercest strife; fight
ing FOR the possession of the body Of
that child. Now one, now the other
would get a hold on the throat Of its
opponent and tear away huge pieces Of
flesh with lie hideous fangs; their great
eyes all the time cleaning with fire,
their supple bodies swaying 20 and fro
~ they grspplcd 10 n struggle 10 the
death. They must have fought thus for
upwards o. twenty minutes, sometimes
the man-eatcr, sometimes the tigress
getting an advantage; when, glancing
Tor a moment from the scene Of this
unique contes' 10 the spot where the
child was lying. ] saw IL. 70 my aston
ishment. move and otherwise give un-
doubted signs of life The mother saw
II also, aud II bad not stopped her