Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-09-18

thin blinds, which could offer no moro
hiudrance to tiger than IL 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 direc-
ton of the street. Upon that wall
another huge cJ.t-likc form similar to its
own had appeared, as if evolved out of
the darkness, aud from it there came au
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 6cep growls; aud presently
the one on the wall lcapcd into the en-
closure. The animal upon tho buffalo
crept over his prey toward the intruder,
which, crouching low, crawled onward.
AS the two beasts drew near together the
growls became ficrccr, and ut last the adj
vancing tiger gave great leap forward,
which was met by the other, and ter.
rife fight began with hidcous growing,
deep snarls and roars rs 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
safc distance from its opponent, began
to explore the yard. If the beast had
any intention of leaving the place it was
disappointed, for the walls rising at
least ten feet above the yard were too
high to be lcapcd. lie approached the
veranda, snuffed along the face of the
house, and peered between the stats of
the blind. but, repealed perhaps by the
light or fearing trap, did not enter. AS
his movements brought him near the
buffalo the tiger, in possession OF the
prey, stood again on the defensive; but
the other beast seemed either to have had
enough of fighting, or to realize that he
was again imprisoned. Failing III his
attempt to get out of the compound he,
began to roar in alarm.
Many people living in the vicinity of
the bungalow were awakened by the
sounds, and surmis,ng the danger which
they could not fully understand closed
their doors and windows in fear; but no
one dared remain outside, except the
native watchmen, who gathered in
groups Mt distance and specialized rs 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 ut the change of note
IN the others roaring became als> TN
easy, and leaving his prey joined in the
Outburst of sound and walked uncasily
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 besiegcrs, he
became aware, by growing light and
smell of burning, that new element of
terror was added to the situation.
A pull of the night breeze from the
river had blown fold of the mosquito
curtain against the lamp which stood by
the bed, upsetting it. Like flash the
curtain and bedding were in flames, to
which was added the combustion of the
oil spreading over the floor mating. 1t
was conflagration beyond the power of
Gordon to extinguish, even if he had
found the heart to attempt it in the face
OF his other great peril.
1t was but few moments before the
whole interior of the apartment was in
flames, from floor to ceiling He heard
the tigers come one after the other upon
the vcranda. The blow of a paw broke
down blind and the heads of one of the
brutes appeared at the opening. Gordon
covered back as near the flames as he
could endure to remain, until the tiper
ms if dazed with the light, withdrew to
resume his round about the foot of the
wall.
Rapidly the flames, famed by the
breeze into roaring confiagration,
burned along the cloth and bamboo cell
ing overhead and crept along the mat
ting on the floor, forcing Gordon for
ward step by step upon the veraada into
the o2en vi-w OF the tigers. They
roared more loudly when he appeared,
but, seemingly frightened by the smoke
and flame, they did not at once attack
him. But as they paced to and fro
along the foot of the walls at the farther
end OF the enclosure they stopped to
crouch with swinging tails ut the sigh;
OF the young mans figure outlined black
against the fire, and crcpt toward him,
only to turn away and retire before some
fresh outburst of the flames.
The heat on the veranda had become
uncomfortable, and Gordon saw that, live
or die, he must, as his only chance of
escape, try to get through the door of
OF the wall; to reach this spot he must
pass within dozen yards OF the tigers.
This small door, which was strongly
made, opened into the compound, and
swung toward the front wall where the
beasts were pacing. 1t was fastened,
when shut, by strong latch.
TO effect his escare Gordon had to
take ten long steps, unlatch aad open
the door, pass through the opening and
close the door behind him before either
one of his savage besiegcrs could lean
upon him. With the flames already
scorching him he decided that quick
death by teeth aud claws was better than
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