Mohave County miner., 1891-01-10
ONE SHOT WAS ENOUGH
SUCCESSFUL BUT DANGEROUS PuR.
SUIT or A TIGER.
How Royal spscimsn was rssEpea is
HIS Lair and Followed 20 Naa
b..ta.

cHhAhs VI tHb itIai lux epnr bA1s -
hoping to get news of tiger, says q
writer In Harper's Weekly. We bad
Just pitched our camp when our shI.
karri ALI by name came. hurriedly
to our tent. saying that the hssdmsu
Of neighboring village wished to speak
with us. With hini were some OF the
villagers, who came as deputation,
praying US to rid them OF tiger that
was playing sad havoc with their cat
tie. The proposition was jumped at,
and with Ali aud two OF his assistants
l returned to the village with the
hesdman. A wretched 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 dead
tree stood conveniently near The dense
Forest and 10 this the bullock was
tied, aud We left the poor brute to its
fate, while two men climbed into 4
tree to watch. Dinner was ready by
the time / returned 10 camp; and the
major told US OF his previous expc-
riences with tigers. The doctor had
been on many n tiger hunt, but had
never yet bagged one Of the royal
quarry. The fact OF the matter was he
was mad on ornithology. and he con-
fessed that on more than Que occasion
be had been watching some rare speci-
men OF the feathered tribe and lost
the golden opportunity for q good
shot.
We turned in early. aud soon the
camp was hushed in silence. but the
forest was alive with animal and in
sect life. Thousands Of stridulatiBg
cicads seemed to make the very air
vibrate. while here and there among
bushes the tire-fies flashed to and fro.
Above all, the insect chorus, however
could be heard the howl OF the hyena
or the bark OF the proving jackal.
Daylight saw us astir, and with it
came the welcome news that the tiger
had killed our bait during the night.
Chautahazri. consisting Of coffee aud
eggs. was soon disposed OF and we
climbed into the ho~dah. strapped to
our elephant, and started for the vii
lage. Here all was excite ment when
we arrived The headmaD had al
ready mustered all available hands for
beaters. Tom-toms, tin cans, and
short cudges formed their armament.
and it was n motley crew that marched
out OF the village that morning.
As we walked silently along the
jungle path, for we had left the ele-
phant At the edge OF the forest, getting
more and more wet every step from
ha a h
grass and overhanging boughs. the
whole line was suddenly brought to
standstilI.
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 ths front
We saw him cautiously pointing TO a
tree above him with one hand. while
the other was stretched out for bis
shotgun.
What the deuce is itP'' asked the
major.
Don't you see it9" answered the
doctor. excitedly. Where's that fool
with my gun?"
"Do you mean that Internal little
bIrd?" questioned the major.
My dear major. that's one Of the
rsrest Of finohes. Where's my gun9"
continued the doctor In Hindostanee.
For the moment we were speechless,
but the sight Of the half-frixhtene ed
servant coming up with the gun loos-
ened at least the majors tongue. he
seized the gun himself and turning to
the doctor said: DO you mean 20
say you are thinking Of shooting that
bird9'
OF course I am" answered the as
tonished doctor.
And give the tiger notice OF our ap-
prosch? I've 4 good mind TO shoot
you first" angrily retortcd the major.
BY Joye! / forgot all about the
tiger"
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 10 sight Of the carcass two
iackals were seen running for the
shelter Of the neighboring jungle, while
some Of the cRrrion were gorging them
selves on the corpse. The tiger had
made meal of the hindquarters and
we could easily trace its spoor down
toward the nullah. or water course.
The doctor. who had won first
choice Of stations, determined to take
up his position in the fork OF a tree
that commanded the open patch aud
also a short stretch of the nuilah. The
major and myself had to make de-
tour 10 take up our posts lower down
the water course, as in all probability
stripes" would conclude to cross Il
and seek for shelter in the dense jungle
beyond.
Half an hour saw us In position. The
major ensconced himself behind rock.
with capital view OF the now nearly
dry river bed and friendly tree in
his rear, while commanded long
stretch OF the same. which Just at the !
loot OF the rock on which / lay took u /
sharp turn to the left. ! also had q |
partial view of the patch that the doc |
tor was supposed to guard. Word was
sent to the beaters. and ], at least, /
waited anxiously for coming events.
1t was not long before the silence OF !
he jungle was broken by the noise Of .
The villagers.
There are few things more exciting
han waiting to get your first sight Of
/ tiger. Despite the knowledge that
'ne must keep cool, tho nerve got the
upper hand. and 1t seemed as though
he holding Of the rife steady had be.
come an impossibility.
Now and again the long grass that