St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-08-30

window, stretch partly forward through
It then raise its head, Is II sni6ang the
air. Then, turning aside, ie passed
round by the door (now closedl, which 1t
also smiled at and fingered BY, and again
cane toward the bed from out Of the
deeper gloom Of the room. As 1t ap-
preached, my terror-I am ashamed to
write the word, but it il the only one
grew intenser, for beheld, then, two
bright eyes, like red lights in the dark
ness; and these told me that was with
in arms length Of some fierce wild ami
NAL Tho truth came to me in flash.
as it were. and. l am happy to say. with
it distinct recognition Of what to do.
My only chance Of safety lay in remain
ing absolutely still, and with closed
eyes. It was the force Of IN instinct
mercifully aroused Imagine then my
sensation as felt the huge beast put its
nose. first to my feet, sniaing and TAX
ing deep snuifling breaths. - you know
. strange dog will against your leg when
he wants to discover whether you arc
friend or foe. and Is II preparing to take
. piece out Of your calf. Then the nose
passed upward to my knees and body.
thence to one exposed hand. which Was
licked-licked, mark you, by . tongue
like the toughest file, coarse enough to
scarify the flesh! But this Was not the
worst--the muzzle, cold and wet, yet
with the hot breath rushing out from
the nostrils IS from foul-smelling fur
mace, came next upon my face, across
my forehead and closed eyelids, to my
mouth. and here with another rasping
scourge of that horrible tongue.
Il can not dwell upon the situation.
by Gods mercy the resolute determine
tion to lie perfectly motionless did not
desert me. never 50 much IS
quivered, far less brcathed; and this
saved my life. One moro lick, one
more long. deep inhalation close to my
nose. . sniff or two 1t the pillow, and
the creature crept slowly beneath the
bed. Again the mattress heaved, from
the upward pressure beneath, and thcn
. heavy thud and bowling yawn told
me that the beast had stretched itself
out upon the floor, exactly under me-"
Poor Rob does not attempt to describe
the agony of mind he thenceforward
endured, for-he does not know how
should again arouse the animal, afraid
At first to even open his eyes, he only
remembers, poor chap, that BY degrees
the slowly increasing dawn OF day Rave
him courage to think and to cogitate on
what it were best to do. 1t would not
be wise to give the beast time to take
his nap aud then 60 for another prowl
round the room. Whatsoever he did he
knew must be done at bound and .
rush, and that soon. Should he make
. dash at the window standing invit-
ingly open, scale the balcony and drop?
No; beside being high above ground. he
remembered that the window looked
out upon the kitchen garden, and just
below it were some cucumber frames,
and he dreaded the damage he would
infiict upon himself and the glass in the
inevitable smash which must ensue. Yet
the window was little nearer than the
door-he could almost reach it in two
strides; and the door would have to be
opened and closed after him. . process
which he imagined might give his
visitor an opportunity Of springing
upon him. for. unluckily, he had, con-
trary to his custom. turned the key in
his sense OF strange depression. Still.
clearly the door was the dttest means Of
escape. and after . little more due con-
sideration he determined to adopt this
course. Quick and agile IS cat he
thought he could manage to slip out ere
he could be bounced upon. Just how.
ever, As be was preparing for the At
tempt another yawning howl signided
that the repose of the intruder had been
disturbed Tho heavy breathing which
had continued during my boys deliber-
alton was not resumed, but instead there
ensued . licking. gnawinR. crunching
sound, such Is one hears at the Zool0g-
| ical gardens when the beasts Of prey
have been fed and are laxily enjoying
the remnant favor left on some bare
bone Once more Bob hesitated. We,
would mot matters grow worse il he
longer delayed m attempt? He had Il
ready lost . chance while the creature
slept He might soon see it emerge
from it, hiding place. Yes. he must
run the risk at oncc-he could not en-
dure the suspense longer.
It was now broad daylight. the cool
morning breeze was sweeping refresh
ingly into the room. As 1t came across
his fevered brow he felt refreshed. His
courage rose. and, although he had new.
er stirred from his crouching posture,
he now prepared for spring. He made
one hound into the middle of the room.
. second brought him to the door. his
hand was on the lock, 1t was opened in
. moment and, Is in sliding out he
turned to close it aftor him, he caugh,
one glimpse Of . huge tiger emerging
from beneath the bed.
To nv down the steps and cross the
lawn to the stables, and to arouse the
grooms, were the acts, you may be sure,
OF very few minutes One Of the men
soon appeared ct window. and almost
before he had time to huddle ON some
clothes, after hearing from Bob Of the
emergency, there was knocking, ham
mering and hallooing 1t the outer gate
Z, Of the stable yard, which opened on r
the high road. When it was thrown
back, Bob and the groom encountered
three sturdy, short-nccked, broad-shoul.
dered. thick-set mon, and . little Be.
hind them stood = small, one-hofsed
closed sort Of van, with its driver In
front Their presence was soon 70
counted for.
Sorry to disturb ye. mister" said
their spokesman. but We reckon we've
chased some Of our property onto your
grounds Our Royal Bengal tiger man