The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-08-12
HENRY l. BIOSSAT, Business Manager

after Il time and then the mountain side
was still again.
Looking down over the rock a few
moments later found Manuel gazing
up at me. He pointed away off to the
left IN the direction of the second dis
turbancc and again disappeared. 1t is
probable that on this occasion he hid
himself in the underground alongside
the path. l gave my undivided atten-
ton to the distant huttering of birds.
1t was q curious sort of circus that the
birds were having. The little things
clrcled about in the tops of the trees
and screamed shrilly one to the other.
1t might have been a huge snake that
frightened and fascinated them, or it
might have been tiger. Manuel
knew, in all probability, but he made
no sign.
The disturbance came little nearer,
but it seemed to me that it moved very
slowly. If a tiger were coming along
the path he should, in my opinion, have
made better time. Gained my impa-
tience by assuring myself that if it
were tiger he would come fast enough
when he once got wind of me. 1t was
| a long half hour of suspense before the
| disturbance came within reasonable
distance. Before half of that time had
passed | was satisfied that something
very Objectionable to birds was walk
ing leisurely along the path, and per-
haps stopping now and then in the
| hope of surprising one of the birds I'M
awares.
at length the thin G was just beyond
the turn i'll the path. In q moment or
two should see what it was. Then !
| became conscious that Manuel was
standing in the middle of the path,
with his short spear held in horizontal
| position over his shoulder. This was
interesting and at the same time very
suggestive. / concentrated my entire
| nervous system in an intense contcm-
| plation of the turn in the path. The
suspense was awful.
All! what was that? A striped and
spotted animal suddenly stood out in
the open. His long tail swung slowly
from side to side, and his smooth coat
moved nervously with some passing
emotion. 1t was the tiger of the South
American forests. He had topped with
one foot advanced, and with his head
in the attitude of attention. He had
seen something in the path before him.
1t was Manuel, who was standing as
immovablc as the rock beside him. 1t
| was beautiful beast all silk and soft
ness and graceful curves. I thought it
pity that so beautiful thing should
be hunted to the death, but at the same
time | reflected that this wonderfully
beautiful exterior covered nature that
was the living incarnation of ferocity.
do not know how long Manuel and
the tiger faced each other there in the
narrow path like gladiators. Itseemcd
q very long time. This was the test.
The tiger waited instinctively to see the
strange thing before him turn and run
away as everything else in the forest
invariably did, but greatly to his sur
prise the thing stood its ground like an
immovable rock. The tiger was king
of the forest, and he knew it, and when
he had made up his mind that this
thing was not going to run he came
forward slowly to investigate. This
was courage, even in wild brute, and
l respected him for it. l doubt if the
lion or the tiger of India has this un.
shal1able nerve.
looked at Manuel as the tiger came
slowly and cautiously along the path.
He stood like bronze statue, with his
spear held over his right shoulder. Not
SO much as an cyelid moved. l confess
that during this trying time was a bit
nervous. This was a new way of
hunting to me, and decided novelty
in the actions of Il wild beast which
had not been attacked. / should cx-
pcct an attack from grizzly bear after
it had been wounded, but assuredly the
bear would not take the aggressive "a
this 1.-the and beautiful beast was do
ing. will acknowledge that my heart
thumped against my blue flannel shirt
SO hard that was afraid that the noise
would attract the attention of the
tiger.
Slowly came the tiger; like rock
stood Manuel 1t looked as though the
case had been reversed, and that the
tiger instead of the half-b breed, was the
hunter.
At length the tiger was within touch
ing distance of the man. He looked
the bronze figure over from head to foot
and then thrust forward his head and
shifted at the mans feet. Back the
great beast sprang like steel spring.
The figure was flesh and blood.
The tigers tail twitched back and
forth like fail. The great jaws opened
in snarl. Quickly the beast measured
his distance and crouched with CULVER
ing sinews for spring. Such calm
courage was grand beyond all descrip-
ton. 1t was matched only by the
steadfast nerve of the man.
Now came the crisis. l could see the
huge muscles heaving under the striped
skin. In another second the tiger
would leap upon his prey. In that in
slant the hunter made a motion with
his 1eft arm as quick as light itself. He
tore handkerchief from his neck and
thrust it full in tie tigers face Up
went the tigers head in culver Of
electrical amazement. Then the hun
ter's poised right arm shot forward
| with incredible force and the spear
buried itself half way to the handle in
| +lo t;rarsc mol.