Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-01-31
PURSUIT OF A TIGER.

saws writer in Harper's Weekly.
We had just pitched our camp when
our shikarri, Ali by name, came hur- ,
riedly to our tent, saying that the
headman of neighboring village
wished to speak to us. With him
were some of the villagers, whocame
as deputation, praying US to rid
them of tiger that was playing sad
havoc with their cattle. The propo-
sition was jumped at, and with An
and two of his assistants | returned
to the village with the headman.
A wretched specimen of 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 stoodconveniently near the
dense forest, and to this the bullock
was tied, and we left the poor brute
to its fate, while two men climbed IN |
To Tree 10 NdLGll. bAhhS4 hteS |
ready by the time returned to camp |
and the major told us of some OF his
previous experiences with tigers.
The doctor had been on many a tiger
hunt. but had never yet bagged one
ct the royal quarry. The fact Of the
matter was he was mad on ornltho-
logv, and he confessed that on more
than one occasion he had been watch
ing some rare specimen of the teath-
cred tribe and lost the golden oppor-
tunity for good shot.
We turned in early, and soon the
camp was hushed in silence, but the
forest was alive with animal and in
sect life. Thousands STIMULATING
eieada seemed to make the very air
yibrate, while here and there among
the bushes the fire-fles flashed to and
fro. Above all, the insect chorus,
however, could be 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.
Chautahazri, consisting of coffee and
eggs, was soon disposed OF and we
climbed into the howdah, strapped
to our solitary elephant, and started
for the village. Here all was excite
ment when we arrived. The
headman 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 otthe
village that morning.
As we walked silently along the
Jungle path, for we had left the ele,
plant at the edge of the forest, get
ting more and more wet every steI
from the dewdrops weshook from thu
tall grass aud overhanging boughs
the whole line was suddenly brough
to q standstill..
In front was the village shikarri
then followed the doctor. The latte
was the cause of the halt. As tn
major and myself pushed to the from
we saw him cautiously pointing to
tree above him with one hand Will
the other was stretched out for hi
shotgun.
What the deuce is it," asked tn
major.
Don't you see it," answered til
doctor, excitediy. Where that foo
with my gun.
do you mean that Internal lit
bird?" questioned the major.
my dear major, that's one OF ii
rarest of finches. Where's my gun?
continued the doctor, in Hindostane
For the moment we were speed
less, but the sight of the halffrigh
ened servant coming up with thegu
loosened at least the majors tongu
He seized the gun himself, and tur
ing to the doctor said: do yc
mean to say you are thinking
shooting that bird?"
"Of course am" answered the q
tonished doctor.
And give the tiger notice Of q
approach? I've a hanged good mil
to shoot you first" angrily retort'
the major.
"By JoveI l forgot all about the
ger"
There was no doubt he had.
AS we entered the open space sig
were not wanting that the bullo
had been killed, for sitting on t
boughs of trees were yultur'
while Others were circling above
the air. AS we came in sight of t
carcass two iackals were seen n
ming for the shelter OF the neighbour
Jungle, while some OF the CARR
were gorging themselves on I
corpse. The tiger had made a m,
OF the headquarters and we cot
easily trace its spoor down towa
the Dullah, or water course.
The doctor, who had won Fl
choice Of station, determined to ts
up his position in the fork OF a t
that commanded the open patch q
also q short stretch of the null
The major and myself had to max
detour to take up our posts lo'
down the water course, as in all pr
ability stripes" would conclude
cross it and seek for shelter in
dense Jungle beyond.