The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-11-21
PURSUIT OF A TIGER.

myseli-had been pottering about
the outskirts of the Terai for some
days, hoping to get news of q tiger,
says u writer in Harper's Weekly.
We had just pitched our camp when
our slikarri, Ali by name, came hur.
richly to our tent, saying TINT the
headman Of a neighboring village
wished to speak to us. With him
were some Of the villagers, who come
as deputation, praying us to rid
them of n tiger that was playing sad
havoc with their cattle. The propo.
sition was jumped ut, and with Ali
and two Of his assistants 1 returned
to the village with the hendrnan.
A wrctchei specimen of q bullock
was bought for 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 cleared for cultivation. A
deadtree stoodconveniently near the
dense forest, and to this the bullock
was tied, and we left the poor brute
to it's fate, while two men climbed in.
to IL tree to watch. Dinner was
ready by tie time 1 returned to camp
and the major told us of some of his
previous experiences with tigers.
The doctor had been on many u tiger
hunt. but had never yet bagged ono
OF the royal quarry. The fact OF the
matter was he was mad on ornitho.
logy, and he confessed that on moro
than one occasion he had been watch
ing some rare specimen Of the fcatll-
cred tribe and lost the golden oppor-
tunity for q good shot.
We turned in early, and soon the
camp was huslled in silence, but the
forest was alive with animal and ill.,
sect life. Thousands ofstridulating
cicada seemed to make the very mir
vibrnte, while here and there among
the bushes the fire-fies flushed to and
fro. Above all, the insect chorus,
however, could lie heard the howl of
the hyena or the bark of the prowl-
ing iackal.
Daylight saw us stir. and with it
came the welcome news that the tiger
had killed our bait during the night.
consisting of coffee and
eggs, was soon disposed of and we
climbed into the llowdah, strapped
to our solitary elephant, and started
for the village. Here ali was excite
ment when VIC arrived. The
hcadlnan had already mustered all
available hands for beaters. Tom
toms, tin cans. and short cudgels
formed their armament, and it was a
motley crew that marched out OF the
village that morning.
As we walked silently along the
jungle path, for we had left the elc-
plant at tho edge of the forest, get
ting more and moro wet every step
from the dewdrops weshook from the
tall grass aud overhanging boughs,
the whole line was suddenly brought
to stundstill.
In front was the village shikarri,
then followed the doctor. The latter
was the cause of the halt. As the
major and myself pushed to the front
We saw him cautiously pointing to u
tree above him with one hand while
the other was stretched out for his
shotgun.
"What the deuce is it," asked the
major.
Don't you SEQ it?" answered the
doctor, excitedly. "Where's that fool
with my gun.
"Do you mean that informal little
bird?" questioned tho major.
"My dear major, that's one OF the
rarest of finches. Where's my gun?"
continued the doctor, in Hindostanec.
For the moment we were speech
less, but the sight Of the halffright-
ened servant coming up with thegun
loosened ut lenst the majors tongue.
He seized the gun himself, and turn.
ing to the doctor said: do you
mean to say you are thinking of
that bird?"
"Of course 1 am," answered the us.
tonished doctor.
"And give the tiger notice of our
I've hanged good mind
to shoot you first" angrily retorted
the major.
"By Jove! l forgot oil about the IT,
ger"
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 vultures,
while Others were circling above in
the air. AS we came in sight of the
carcass two iackals were seen rum
ming for the shelter OF the neighboring
Jungle, while some OF the carrion
were gorging themselves on the
corpse. The tiger had made n meal
OF the headquarters and we could
ensily trace its spoor down toward
the nulluh, or water course.
The doctor, who had won first
choice Of station, determined to take
up his position in the fork of n tree
that commanded the open patch and
also n short stretch of the nullah.
The major and myself had to lnakea
detour to take up our posts lower
down the water course, as in all prob
ability "stripes" would conclude to
cross it and seek for shelter in the
dense Jungle beyond.
Half an hour saw us in position.
The major ensconced himself behind
u rock, with q capital view of the
now nearly dry river bed and u friend
~ tree in his rear, while / command
ed long stretch of the same, which
just Mt the foot OF the rock ON
which lay took q sharp turn to the
left. l also had a partial view of the
patch that the doctor was supposed
to guard. Word was sent to the
heaters, and 1. ut least, waited any
iously for coming events.
1t was not long before the silence
of the jungle was broken by the noise
OF the villagers.
There are few things more exciting
than waiting to get your first sight
of a tiger. Despite the knowledge
that one must keep cool, the nerves
got the upper hand, and it seemed
as though the holding of the rifle
steady had become an impossibility.
Now and again the long grass that
bordered the nullah stirred, as some
door hoo mr. io cko1 fonrfi,1 of rho d;,,