The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-06
AFLoAr WITH A TIGER.
Perilous Boating on Stream swollea By .
Cl0ud-Burst

Ier1lous Boating on Stream Swollen By q
ClOud-BuFst
From the heavy rain which falls upon In
dian mountains, the low-lying country ID
liable to such sudden foods that every year
many beasts, and even human beings, are
drowned ore they can make their escape to
the higher grounds.
Floods are terrible visitations while they
last. and one of them came on 90 suddenly
that had to spend day and night in an
open canoe in consequence, during which
time had good opportunities Of seeing the
good and bad effects produced by them. l
lived at the time in mat house, situated
upon hill which I supposed was quite
above high-water mark, but an old
Aahometan gentleman having told me that
when he was little boy he recollected the
watsr once rising higher than the hill, !
small ditch close at hand.
Inc rainy season began. and daily the
river rose higher. One morning We noticed
that the mountain tops were covered with
heavy banks Of dark clouds, though no rain
others. sneak ont Of the high grass and
make for high ground. The most curioua
thing, however. was tho smart way in which
rats and even Rrasshoppers came soamper-
ing away from the threatening danger.
These latter came in such crowds toward
my bungalow that not only the fowls about
the promises had good feed on them, but
Kites and crows began to swoop down in
such numbers that the air was filled with
their cries and noise of their rushing wings,
While Watching the immense destruction
Of these insects we were startled by BE
outbreak OF the thunder storm, high nh on
the mountains, but far above the peals of
thunder rose the terrible sound Of rushing
water. Animals now came tearing out Of
the lowlands too terrified to notice whittier
they vent, 90 that stood ready, gun in
hand. IN case any of the dangerous kind
should try to seek an asylum on my partic-
ular hill; but with the exception of q huge
Wild boar, who had to be shot AZ he charged
up the slope, all took refuge elsewhere.
bank, spreading over the country, sweeping
down the tall grass jungle and surginR and
roaring round our hill. Packing ali Chat
was valuable in small parcels, We gathered
them in heap. hoping that the flood
you'd snoside ere it reached tho building.
the terrible force Of the deluee. were
swept along, several animals vainly trying
to keep . footing among their roots
and branches. At last the water reached
the steps Of the house; 80, pulling our boat
close mp We stepped in with what we could
building, vainly trusting that the worst had
come; but it was not 10. for we soon had to
leave 20 the post and pass the boats rome
round tree. The water then rushed in,
the house toppled over. and it and its con.
tents we're swept away BY the food.
and bend, 20 We knew that it was being MP
rooted; therefore, letting 20 the roma ne
launched forth upon the seethinQ waste of
waters and were whirled away. Onward We
rus t1sneo through masses Of logs. branches,
having to be very careful that our frail YES.
sci did not get upset or crushed. Twice ne
made for the tops of hills that showed
themselves above water. but on approach
ing them We found that they had been taken !
possession of by wild animals.
Here tiger crouched ON the branch of |
tree, seemingly too much alarmed at his |
perilous position to modest the half dozen
deer that crowded timidly together right |
underneath his perch. Up above him the |
Who looked a.
enforced imprisonment. As we swept past |
the tiger raised his head, gave deep orowl. |
and showed his teeth, then cfouched down
again az If fully aware of his helplessness,
and We had too much to think of ourselves
to interfere with him.
Gaining the open country, the scene was
one of desolation: but the current Vac NOT
% strong. SO we turned round, seeing the
HOOD was going down, and by niQhtfall We
had got back to where the house had stood. I
Every vestige of the once pretty homestead
had disappeared, with sheep ana cattie.
though the fowls had managed to lind 4
rooat ON the topmost branches Of some
orange trees which alone remained 20 msrk
the spot.
Az the moon rose the mountaineers came
down from their villages. and, embarkino
on 1afts and in canoes, went round the
diaerent hills, shooting and spearino the
animals that had swum there; and truly fae
siRht OF such hunting scene vas an excit-
ing one. Here . stout STAG. defending him
eeaf with his antlers q bsst be MIGHT
seesea e g, The spsarmsn. kept up aeallant
Tho tiger we had sesu in the MORNING
took 70 winning. and ON being vounde3
WITH q spear turned On the neefeet oanoe.
upeeteinG the hunters into tie No.. vhere
deoperato encounter took plaoe: hut ~
vas sventually dispatched By . blow from
m a1-noe hoWoveS, before be had clsved
Deee q hm puisueB moai severely.
Al daylight tAe water had entfralv srrna
dovn. and thick. muddy dapoeit cuvSred
~ The louland. while an Immense numhsr
q snakes. scorpions and o<har uupleaaonf
1eatsres lay dead IN al direetions, upon
wAieh and ths drounsd animsIe veh1res.
Deus and kftes vsEs feeding.