Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-07-31

except the black shadows beneath the
walls. Fronting him, near the middle
of the compound, was the white breast
of an immense black and tawny animal,
which stood over the postrate buffalo
tearing its throat and greedily tapping
its blood. The beast of prey raised Its
head from time to time, and glared about
with eyes of fire as if watching against
interruption.
The situation was a surprising and ter
rifying one for Gordon, who could not
escape by the windows at the back ot
the house owing to the iron gratlngs.
There was no way out of the compound
except to emerge upon the veranda, and
walk a distance Of ten yards in the very
face of the tiger-for Gordon had at
once recognized the nature of his terrible
visitor. He stepped back and lit the
little night lamp to gain such comfort as
its light could give him. He was un-
armed, and there was nothing between
him and the striped monster but those
thin blinds, which could offer no more
hindrance to tiger than if they had been
tissue paper.
Suddenly the tiger wheeled, and with
his paws still resting on the buffalo,
looked up toward the wall in the dlrec-
ton of the street. Upon that wall
another huge clt-liSe form similar to its
own had appeared, as if evolved out OF
the darkness, and from it there came an
unmistakable roar, which was answered
in the same note by the tiger in the
yard.
With tails swinging angrily the two
creatures eyed each other, their roars
changing to Geep growls; and presently
the one on the wall leaped into the en-
closure. The animal upon the buffalo
c.ept over his prey toward the intruder,
which, crouching low, crawled onward.
As the two beasts drew near together the
orowls became fercer, and at last the adj
vancing tiger gave a great leap forward
which was met by the other, and a ter
rife fight began with hideous growing,
deep snarls and roars as they reared. bit,
and tore, in the presence of the one awe
stricken spectator.
At last the two beasts separated, one
backing swiftly to the buffalo, while the
other, retiring in the same manner TO
safe distance from its opponent, began
to explore the yard. If the beast had
anv intention of leaving the place it was
disappointed, for the walls rising at
least ten feet above the yard were too
high to be leaped. He approached tac
verluda, snufed along the face OF the
house, and peercd between the Stats OF
the blind, but, iepelled perhaps by the
light or fearing a trap, did not enter. As
his movements brought him near the
buffalo the tiger, in possession OF the
prev, stood again on the defensive; but
the other beast seemed either to have had
enough of fighting, or to realize that h'
was again imprisoned. Failing In hi
attempt to get out Of the compound HI
began to roar in alarm.
Many people living in the vicinity Of
the bungalow were awakened by thu
sounds. and surmising the danger which
they could not fully understand closed
their doors and windows in fear; but nc
one dared remain outside, except the
native watchmen, who gathered in
groups at a distance and sPeculated as to
the cause of the disturbance. But the
character of the noises was not inviting
of approach, and so for some time no
one came upon the scene to investigate
matters.
The first tiger at the change of note
in the others roaring became als) TN
easy, and leaving his prey joined in the
outburst of sound and walked uueasily
about, still, however, keeping near the
buffalo. As Gordon, with no barrier
between him and terrible death when
ever the animals should see fit to enter
the house, stood with his eyes held in
awful fascination upon his besiegers, he
became aware, by growing light aud
smell of burning, that a new element o
terror was added to the situation.
A pulT of the night breeze from th'
river had blown a fold of the mosquito
curtain against the lamp which stood by
the bed, upSettlng u. Like hash INC
curtain and bedding were in flames, to
which was added the combustion Of th'
oil spreading over the floor mating. 1
was a conAagration beyond the power o
Gordon to extinguish, even if he hac
found the heart 10 attempt it in the face
of his other great peril.
1t was but a few moments before tn
whole interior of the apartment was ii
flames, from floor to ceiling. He hearC
the tigers come one after the other upoi
the verauda. The blow of paw broke
down blind and the heads of one Of th'
brutes appeared at the opening. GordoI
covered back as near the flames as b
could endure to remain, until the tiger
as il dazed with the light, withdrew t
resume his round about the foot Of TIT
wall.
Rapidly the flames, famed by tn