The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-11-21
miscellaneous.
NV First Tiger.

Harper's Weekly.
We, that is the major, Doctor, and myself,
had been pottering about the outskirts of the
Terai for some days, hoping to get news OF q
tiger. We had just pitched our camp, when
our shikarri, Ali by name, came hurriedly to
our tent, saying that the headman offs neigh
ing village wished to speak with US. With
him were some of the villagers, who came as
a deputation, praying US to rid them ola
tiger that was playing sad havoc with their
cattle. The proposition was jumped at, and
with Ali and two of his assistants returned
to the village with the headman. wretch
ed specimen of bullock was bought for a
few rupees, and was led out into the jungle.
A good spot was found in an open space
that at some time or another had been clear
cd for cultivation. A dead tree stood con-
veniently near the the dense forest, and to
this the bullock was tied, and we left the
poor brute to its fate, while two men climbed
into tree to watch. Dinner WAS ready by
the time returned to camp, and the Major
told us of some of his previous experiences
with tigers. The Doctor had been on many
q tiger hunt, but had never yet Jagged one
of the royal quarry. The fact Of the matter
was he was mad on ornithology, and lie con-
fessed that on more than one occasion he
had been watching some rare specimen of
the feathered tribe, and lost the golden oppor-
tunity for good shot.
We turned in early, aud soon the camp
was hushed in silence, but tle forest was
alive with animal and insect life. Thousands
of STIMULATING cicada seemed to make the
very air vibrate, while here and there among
the bushes the fire flies flashed 10 and fro
Above all the insect chorus, however, could
be heard the howl of the hyena or the bark
of the prowling jackal.
Daylight saw us astir, and with it came
the news that the tiger had killed our bait
during the night. Chautahazri, consisting OF
coffee and eggs, was soon disposed OF, and
we climbed into the howdah, strapped to our
solitary elephant, and started for the village.
Here all was excitement when we arrived
The headman had already mustered all avail
able hands for beaters. Tom-toms, tin cans,
short cudgels formed their armament, and ii
was motley crew that marched out OF the
village that morning.
AS we walked silently along tue jungle
path, for we had left the elephant at the edge
of the forest, getting more and more wet every
step from the dew drops we shook from the
tall grass or over hanging boughs, the whole
line was suddenly brought to standstill.
In front was the village shkarri, then fol-
lowed the Doctor. The latter was the cause
of the halt. As the Major and myself push.
ed to the front, we saw him cautiously point
ing TO tree above him with one hand, while
the other was stretched out for his shot gun.
"What the deuce is it ?" asked the Major.
"Don't YOU see it?" answered the Doctor,
excitedly. "Where's that fool with my gun?'
"Do YOU mean that Internal little bird p
questioned the Major.
My dear Major, that's one of the rarest
fnches. Where's my gun 2 continued the
Doctor, in Hindostanee.
For the moment we were speechless, but
the sight of the half-frightened servant COM
ing up with the gun loosened at least the Ma
iors tongue. He seized the gun himself, and
turning to the Doctor, said, do you mean
to say you are thinking of shooting that
bird ?"
"Of course I an" answered the astonished
Doctor. ;.
"And give the tiger notice of our approach
I've hanged good notion to shoot you first,
angrily retorted the Major. =
by Jove forgot all about the tiger"
There was no doubt he had.
As we entered the open space signs were
not wanting that the bullock had been killed
for sitting on the boughs of trees were Vul-
lures, while others were circlng above in the
air. As we came in sight of the carcass two
the neighboring jungle, while some OF the
carrion were gorging themselves on the corpse
The tiger had made meal OF the hind
quarters, and we could easily trace its spool
down toward the nullah or watercourse.
The Doctor, who had won first choice oil
stations, determined to take up his position
in the fork of a tree that commanded the
open patch, and also q short stretch OF the
nullah. The Major and myself had to make
detour to take up our posts lower down the
watercourse, as in all probability, stripes
would conclude to cross it, and seek for shell
ter in the dense jungle beyond.
| Half an hour saw US in position. Inc
Major ensconced himself behind rock, witt
a capital view of the now nearly dry rive
bed, and friendly tree in his rear; while
commanded long stretch of the same, which
| lust at the foot of the rock on which lay
took sharp turn to the left. L also had
partial view of the patch that the Doctor was
supposed to guard Word was sent to thu
beaters, and l at least waited anxiously fol
coming events.
1t was not long before the silence OF the
Jungle was broken by the noise of the vii
layers.
There are few things more exciting thai
waiting to get your first sight of tiger
DESPITE the knowledge that one must keep
cool, the nerves got the upper hand, and il
seemed as though the holding OF the rifle
steady had become an impossibility.
Now and again the long grass that border
ed the nullah stirred, as some deer, hog o.
iackal, fearful of the din, would dash acros
the shallow stream, and vanish in the jungle
that stretched for miles behind me.
| was peering into the thick underground
when suddenly Ali touched me, and whisper
ed, "Bagh bagh!" (tiger, tiger) pointing to
wards the plot.
Yes, standing out in the open with its heat
turned in the direction of the din and hub
bub, angrily twisting his tail. stood magni
ficent tiger. For some seconds-they seemed
an hour-that tiger stood there some 2O
yards from me, and then turned back int
the woods The noise of the heaters grew
louder and louder, and l was beginning tt
fear that the beast intended to break through
their line, when, almost exactly opposite me
the tall grass was gently pushed one side
and out into the full glare of day stepped tn
tiger 1t started to pass down the nullah
but for second halted on slab of rock tt
listen to the noise of its enemies.
1t was a splendid shot. A sharp crack @
a rifle, and then to my joy l saw the QUAR-
lying on its stomach, tearing up the groun
around ia its im potent rage, and growing a
only tiger can. There was no necessity TO
a second shot, for as we scrambled to the to-
of the rock that had concealed us, the roys
brute rolled over on its side, while STREAM
of blood from its mouth made assurance dout
lily sure.