The morning call., 1891-09-05
THE RAJAH'S TIGER.

The raiah's famous tiger, had escaped and
was somewhere in the jungle.
simultaneously with the reception of the
news was posted a proclamation from the
raiah himself, forbidding any one killing
the feroeious beast, and Offering large re-
ward for his capture alive.
The garrison at Cawnpore was instructed
by its officers to keep q watch out, and to
report the tigers presence as soon as discov-
cred, and scores of native hunters, some oil
whom are the best tiger catchers in India,
we're securing the jungles IN every direc-
ton.
silva was a man-eater before his capture
by the rajah's hunters. He had killed no
less than twenty people, and had Kept
whole district in terror for two years, and It
was feared, and with good reason too, that
free once more be would 60 back to his hab-
its, and kill as before.
In little while the torn body of woman
was found in patch of high weeds, and all
knew that the fears of the people were con-
firmed. and that silva had returned to his
old work.
Among the garrison was a boy named
Frank Seldom, who had come out with the
regiment and who did errands for the Colo
mel.
Fond Of hunting beasts of all kinds he
had become versed in jungle lore and could
track as well as the most experienced ma
tive hunters.
When he heard of the escape of the tiger
he went at once to Bjoola Bey, young ma
tive Of his own age. and the two boys dis
cussed tile circumstances and finally re-
solved to look out for the animal and, if
possible, secure the reward offered for It's
Tecapture.
But how were they to effect the capture of
such a frrocious beast?
They discussed all the different methods
If capturing tigers, but were forced to ac-
knowledge tnat silva was adrolt enough TO
avoid them all, for he had been the de-
stoyer of traps before lis final wounding by
the rajah.
-Dav after day the two boys went into the
Jungle in hOpes Of finding the tigers trail.
They were reproYed for what was termed
their foolhardness, but this did not dis
courage them. Indeed, II only whetted Their
courage ami they had said TO each other
- that they wOnld not give up until tney had
captured the royal tiger
The raiah had threa ened in his proclama-
tOn to punish any one who should XIII the
tiger, aud BjoOla Bey said he would sooner
suffer the loss OF his right arm than send
ball through the animals heart, even IN SELL
defense
At last the young hunters found the
tigers trail along a deep gully, and made
arrangements TO catch him.
They tied young bullock to tree and
perched themselves in the dense branches
overhead, and waited for tIeiT prey.
They were sure the tiger would visit the
bullock that night, which would be clear
and beautiful, and they had provided them
selves with tiger-DOUse-a long larlat cap
able OF holding the strongest animal in the
one end of the larat was fastened to the
lower limb Of the tree, while the other was
4 coil, at the end OF which was moose
Yhi-h the boys were TO throw over the
tiser's head while be was busy devouring
the decoy.
Night came and found the young tiger
eatchers in the tree ready for work. The
moon camelup and silyered parts OF the Jun
gle where it was open, and at length, by
certain movements OF the tied-up animal,
the boys knew that tiger was near.
Presently there was seen creeping for
ward through the grass the well-known
figure Of the Tajah's tiger. The great beast
came on with velvet thread at last until he
crourhed for the spring, while the poor bull
lock tTembled in every limb.
All at once, with a roar that seemed to
shake the very earth, he threw him self
npon the animal and bore ii down.
1T is Siya." cried Bj0ola Bey; it is the
rajah's tiger, and the Trees are ours"
The boys now heard the tearing of flesh
. and the crushing of bones. The beautiful
but terrible animal was almost directly be-
DeaLn tne0l, bJOOlh Dc1 WAS uuCOllluS Lu6
lasSo for the fatal cast.
For heavens sake, don't miss him."
whispered Frank.
81 never miss, as you know, brother" was
the reply.
And the next moment down went the
moose, and to the delight Of both boys it
dropped over the head of silva, raised for a
moment to see what was the meaning of a
slight noise overhead.
In an instant the tiger. springing back,
tighened the moose, but at the same time
Jerking Frank out of the perch, and, before
be could recover, landing him on the ground
within ten feet of the ferocious beast
Ali this was the work Of second, and the
Indian boy fell back, frightened almost
white at peril of his friend.
Frank fell upon his back, but IL did not
take him long to get upon his feet when he
found the tiger glaring at him with the lasS0
round his neck.
Rivkted to the ground with terror, as it
were, the white boy could not send Bj9ola
Bey lock nOf gesture.
The rife ho had brought with him W as
dangling from the limb to which he had fas-
tened it with a cord to keep it from falling,
and consequently was out of his reach.
He heard the fierce growls OF rage that Is
sued from the throat Of the rajah's tiger;
be saw, too. the sleek, Well-fed body, the
black stripes which he had so often ad-
miTed in the royal menagerie, and even
looked into the mouth and caught glimpse
of the great, cleaning teeth and lolling
tongue.
Suddenly, with cry that made the forest
ring, the raiah's tiger sprang at Frank, but
the lariat checked him half way, and he
fell back discounted.
"The treei the treel" cried Bioola Boy,
and Frank sprang forward and made wild
grab for the lower limbs.
"Cut the rope and let the monster gol"
he shouted to his companion; but the In
dian boy did not obey.
Ae drau fnfa fha fraa
be heard the rope crack as the tiger tried
his strength, ana the next moment some
thing shot past him. and he uttered scream
of horror when he realized that BjoOla Bey
had been pulled down by the cordl
Looking down, he saw the Indian boy at
the mercy Of the tiger.
But the great beast was staring at him as
II reluctant to attack him in his helpless
condition.
just now another danger confronted the
liger-catchers.
TIE knot which secured the lasso to the
limb was becoming united, and Frank saw
that another jerk on the tigers part would
set him free, and could throw himself upon
Biooa without having the rope to circum-
scribe his movements
IL was moment of horror.
Crying to the boy below to lie still for fear
that the slightest movement on his part
might send the tiger forward Frank caught
ND the rife, and was about to cover the head
hand
"Rajah, say no kill him." said Bjoola
Bey. "He is the royal pet OF the gardens
Let him kill BjOola first, but don't harm
silva. the royal cat"
Frank said something not intended to
sOOthe the boy on the ground, for Bjoola
grOaned, and the following minute the tiger
sprang again.
As the striped body shot forward, the
agile Indian boy ducked his head, and the
huge figure cleared it, and Frank heard the
lOsso tear loose as the knot pulled out.
"Better lose the tiger than lifep' men,
tally calculated Frank as silva disappeared
for a moment.
Bjoola sprang up with an exclamation OF
Joy, but in an instant it was turned to one OF
abject terror.
.Sival SivaP he called back toward the
tree.
Rife In hand, Frank bent down and
looked.
Sure enough the royal pet was In sight
Al. Rn,.