Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-07-10


eyes 10 was tho force OF an instinct
mercifully aroused Imagine then my
sensation as felt the huge beast put its
nose first 10 my feet, smiling and tak-
ing deep snutliing breaths, as you know
strange dog will against your leg when
he wants TO discover whether you are
friond or foe, and as II preparing to take
a piece out OF your calf. Then the nose
passed upward 70 my knees and body
thence to one exposed hand, which was
licl1ed-licked, mark you, by tongue
like the toughest file, coarse enough to
scarify the fleshl But this was not the
worst--the muzzle, cold and wet, yet
with the hot breath rushing out from
the nostrils as from foul-smelling fur
mace, came next upon my face, across
my forehead and closed eyelids, 10 my
mouth, and here with another rasping
scourge of that horrible tongue.
II can not dwell upon the situation.
BY Gods mercy the resolute determine
tion TO lie perfectly motionless did not
desert me. | never so much as
quiyered, far less breathed; and this
saved my life One more lick, one
more long, deep inhalation close TO my
nose, a sniff or two at the pillow, and
the creature crept slowly beneath the
bed. Again the mattress heayed, from
the upward pressure beneath, and then
heavy thud and bowling yawn told
me that the beast had stretched itself
out upon the floor, exactly under me-"
Poor Bob does not attempt to describe
the agony Of mind he thenceforward
endured, for-he does not know how
long Afraid TO move muscle, lest he
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 gave
him courage to think and TO cogitate on
what 1t we're best to do. 1t would not
be wise to give the beast time TO take
his nap aud then go for another prowl
round the room. Whatever he did he
knew must be done at a bound and a
rush, and that soon. Should he make
a dash at the window standing invit-
ingly open, scale the balcony and drop?
No; beside being high above ground, he
remem bered that the window looked
out upon the kitchen garden, and just
below IL were some cucumber frames,
and he dreaded the damage he would
infict 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, a 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 iittest means OF
escape. and after little more due con-
sideration he determined TO adopt this
course. Quick and agile as a cat, he
thought he could manage TO slip out ere
he could be pounced upon. Just how
ever, as he was preparing for the at
tempt another yawning howl signiiied
that the repose Of the intruder had been
disturbed The heavy breathing which
had continued during my boys deliber-
alton was hotresumed. 'burinstea1 there
ensued licking, gnawing, crunching
sound, such as one hears at the Zoolog-
ical gardens when the beasts of prey
have been fed and are lazily enjoying
the remnant flavor left on some bare
bone. Once more Bob hesitated. Yet
would not matters grow worse If he
longer delayed an attempt? lie had al
ready lost a chance while the creature
slept lie might soon see it emerge
from its hiding place. Yes, he must
run the risk at once-he could not en-
dure the suspense longer.
1t was now broad daylight, the cool
breeze was sweeping refresh
ingly into the room. AS it came across
his fevered brow he felt refreshed. His
rose, and, although he had new
er stirred from his crouching posture,
he now prepared for spring lie made
one bound into the middle of the room,
a second brought him to the door, his
hand was on the lock, it was opened in
a moment, and, as in sliding out he
turned to close it after him, he caught
one glimpse of huge tiger emerging
from beneath the bed.
To fly 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 at window, and almost |
before he had time to huddle on some |
clothes, after hearing from Bob of the |
there was knocking, ham
mering and hallooing at the outer gate
Of the stable yard, which opened on to |
the high road. When il was thrown |
back, Bob and the groom encountered |
three sturdy, short-necked, broad-shoul |
iercd, thick-set men, and a little be- |
hind them stood small, one-horsed |
closed sort Of van, with its driver in |
front Their presence was soon ac-
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
aged to slip out Of his den last night, |
after the performance, and got away, /
and at last we reckon we've come upon |
him. lie managed to make a good meal |
off one your lambs in the field
over a'gin them glass houses t'other
side OF your summer house. We |
,ome upon the hide and part Of the car
1is, which gave US a clew, and we was
lble to follow up his lordship's foot
steps through your hedge on the lawn.
There was lot o the wool and some Of
he witals hanging to the thorns, show
ng as he was minded to finish his meal
n luxury, don't you see? He carried
,ff a tit-bit along with him, no doubt,
70 as just to enjoy finish like"
Yes" cried Bob, interrupting this
ong harangue, land he selected my
as the incest place for his sup
yer he could find. left him up there
Tot ten minutes ago"
The mischief you didr' exclaimed
he man. in astonishment This 'ere's
uck, and no mistakel He's there now,
10 you say, sirg'
Bob nodded, and then went on 10 ex-
,lain what had happened, as the whole
,arty were making their way back to
he summer house. My son now OBJ
erved that the men carried heavy
row-bars, some ropes, a chain and a
arge, stout net, while, protruding from
ne of their coat pockets, he saw the
'utt end of large pistol.