The National tribune., 1890-11-20

bold. How, after each leap, listened for the
heavy thud OF her fall! Once for moment
she did hang; then i fired at random,
missed, but coming close enough to make
her loose the hold.
At last, thank God little thinning Of
the darkness and the upper edges of the hills
became outlined against the sky. Now for
my revenge. No; the sagacious brute beat
her retreat, silently, before the darkness fed.
] did not see her go, and not until my COM
rades, who came at the first peep of day,
found nothing, was / sure that j could de-
scend. They had watched and waited. My
several shots conveyed nothing 10 them but
that j was there. Once or twice the roar of
the animal reached them; so they had
known why / shot, but, helpless in the
dark, they had not dared 10 come. Released
from my tower Of safety, we walked home
ward, disguised, discOnsolate, cresttallen.
What tale TO go hack with TO the ship
the hunter hunted. No; better luck to-
night-or the night after-when the moon
would shine till daylight.
Tong was awake, and in earnest tones
asked, :" Kill him?" No. Bime-by all
light" We were hungry and sleepy, but
we satisfied both, so that when the guide
came back at / o'clock we were mp and
about We told him no success yet,
but we were patient, and could wait
The day passed in lazy dO-nothing, sleeping
and resting, and as the light waned we
moved once more 10 The arena, and leaving
our friend Jack on the top Of the rock, Ned
and / sought the scntry-box. All night we
watched; not a sign either from the tiger or
Jack. The day broke, and joining Jack,
found he had been undisturhed. When at
no "a i'm
pOst-haste after a goat. This he brought
just before dusk, and we picketed Billy on
The side of the hill, on little terrace, which
we could cover with our rifles from the
sentry-box cave, and which would not be
thrown into shadow, as the moon set just at
dawn; then we all three crept into the cave,
and dividing the dark hours between us,
one watched while the other two crouched
down
READY TO RISE AND OPEN FIRE.
We had each of US had two turns of an
hour, when, shortly after Jack came on, he
aroused us by a vigorous kick. We rose
silently, and cooking our rifles peered into
the semi-daIkness across the way. Billy
had scented danger, and was running the
full length Of his rope, jumping and trying
his best 10 get away. Not a sound did he
utter, just struggled. With drawn breath
and distended eyes we peered into every
corner where a shadow lay-nothing. Sud-
denly over the edge Of the black shadow
thrown 10y our own cover appeared n shadow
not 10 be mistaken. Mrs. Tiger was standing
right over our heads. Were we the mice in
the trap OF was Billy the game? We hoped
IL was Billy, but feared that the keen smell
Of the man-eater had scented our human
Odor and we should have to fight at close
quarters. The shadow never moved, but
Billy now espying the enemy, bleated loud
and long. Good Billy louder! Suddenly
the tigers shadow moved, and, lengthening,
left the rocks. Striking the ground just
before as the whole graceful shape stood for
3 moment, then with a mighty effort in one
bound Was acrOss the stream, and poor Billy
lay amangied corpse; but a. his last plaintive
cry cut the air the rattle Of three Iife-shots
sharp and loud filed the narrow valley, and
We saw that two lives had ended
Rapidly reloading, we stood at ready, but
il was no use, the deed was accomplished.
Should We 20 out or waltz
Wait a little said /.
Where did you aim, Ned
AT her heartp
And you, Jack?"
At her fore-shOulder."
q" ] aimed behind her eve. Now let's 90
and see where or rather who hit herr
Moving cautiously, lest there should be
another tiger, we crossed the brook and stood