Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-08-15

nents OF the buffalo In the yard, which
was believing as if III distress. He wa
not yet fully aroused when the buffalo
noise was swelled by a sound which
probably had not been heard in Hailera
bad since the days before the Grand No
guls, the roar Of tiger at large There
was scratching OF claws on the Stree
wall. the sound Of body striking heav
liz but softly ito the yard one loud bel!
low from the buffalo, followed Dy another,
ending IN q stiaol sound, and then the-el
vas heard only low, deep growlS, min
gled with the sound Of tearing flesh.
Gordon had started up INTO :. sittioo
posture at the first alarm, aul up to t,ni:
point had relnainsl in tillt position listen
ing, with suspended breath Now ii.
slipped from bed, and going to the Open,
window looked out between the Stats
the blinds. The clear moonbeams slons
into the yard, lighting every part Of i
except the black shadows beneath tbs
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 bu.falo
tearing its throat and gree1ily tapping
its blood. The beast of pre-; raised It's
head from time to time, AMI :, ,larv tDou.
with eyes Of fire as if watching. against
interruption.
The situation was surprising and ter
rifying one for Gordon, who could Eot
escape by the windows at the b4nA OF
the house owing to the iron gratinos
There was no way out of the com oouul
except to emerge upon}thc veranda, ana
walk distance of ten yards in the very
face of the tiger-for Gordon had at 7
once recognized the nature of his terrible
visitor. He stepped bacl and lit the
little night lamp to gain such comfort as
its light could give MIN. He was ~un-
armed, and there was nothing between
him and the striped monster but those
thin blinds, which conl1 offer no more
hindrance to a tiger than if they mad been
tissue paper.
Suddenly the tiger wheeled, and with
his paws still resting on the buffalo,
looked up toward the wall i'll the dlrec-
ton of the street. Upon that wall
another huge cAt-like form similar to its
own had appeared, as if evolved out of
the darkness, and from it there came an
uumistakable roar, which was answered
in the same note by the tiger in the
yard.
With tails swinging augrily the two
creatures eyed each other, their roars
changing to deep groHls; and presently
! the one on the wall leaped into the en-
closure The animal upon the buffalo
| crept over his prev toward the intruder,
| which, croucLng low, crawled onward.
| AS the two beasts drew near together the
! crowls became fiercer, and at last the al
vancng tiger gave great leap forward,
which was met by the otner, aud q 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, oIc
| backing swiftly to the buffalo. While the
other. retiring in the same manner to a
safe distance from its opponent, began
to explore the yard. Ii 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 leaped. He approached TIC
| veranda. snutfel along the face OF the
house, and peercd between the Stats OF
the blind, but, repelled perhaps by the
light or fearing trap, did not enter. As
his movements brought him near the
buffalo the tiger, III possession OF tho
prey. stood again on the defensive; but
the other beas. seemed either to have had
( enough of fighting, or to realize that be
was again imprisoned Failing IN hi
attempt 10 get out Of TIE compound IL
| began to roar in alarm.
Many people living in the vicinity 0!
| the bungalow were awakened by th2
sounds, ana sjrmislng the danger wn;cl
they could not fully understand closed
their doors and windows IN fear; bat no
+, one dared remain outside. except the
native watcanen. who gathered il
| groups at a distance ani s?ecllatel as 70
the cause OF the disturbance. But the
character Of tie noises was not invitin :
of approach, and 50 for some tine no
one came upon tue scene TO investigate
| matters.