Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-01-30
ONE SHOT WAS ENOUGH
SUCCESSFUL BUT DANGEROUS PUa.
SUIT or A TIGER.
How Royal Specimen Was Trapped I'm
His Lair and Followed to His
Death.

writer in Harper's Weekly. We had
juss pitched our camp when our shi-
karri Ali by name, came, hurrledly
to our tent. saying that the headman
OF a neighboring village wished TO speak
with us. With him were some of the
villagers, who came rs n depulation,
praying us to rid them of tiger that
was playing sad havoc with their cat
tie The proposition was jumped at.
and with Ali aud two of his assistants
/ returned to the village with the
headman. A wretched specimen OF a
bullock was bought for u few rupees,
and was led out into the jungle.
a good spot was found in IN open
space that ut some time or another had
been cleared for cultivation. A dead
tree stood conveniently near the dense
forest. and to this the bullock was
tied. and we left the poor brute to its
fate. while two men climbed into Il
tree to watch. Dinner was ready by
the time | returned to camp; and the
major told us of his previous eXpe-
rienccs with tigers. The doctor had
been on many tiger hunt. but had
never yet bagged one of the ROYAL
quarry. The fact of the matter was he
was mad on ornithology. and he con-
fesScd that on more than one occasion
he had been Watching some rare specl-
men of the feathered tribe aud lost
the golden opportunity for good
shot.
We turned in early. and soon the
camp was flushed in silence, but the
forest was alive with animal and in
lifa fEhnn-n,,Ic Of 81, An In N
ccada seemed to make the very air
vibrate. while here and there among
bushes the iire-llies flashed to and fro.
Above all. the insect chorus, however.
could be heard the howl of the hyena
or tho bark OF the prowling jackal.
Daylight saw us astir, and with it
came the welcome news that the tiger
had killed our bait during the night.
Chautahazri, consisting OF coffee aud
eggs, was soon disposed of and we
Climbed into the howdah. strapped TO
Cur elephant, and started for the viii
lagc. Here all was excite meut when
wc arrived. The headmar had al
ready mustered all available hands for
beaters. Tom-tOmS. tin cans, ana
short cudges formed their armament,
aud it was motley crew that marched
out of the village that morning.
As we walked silently along the
jungle path. for we had left the ele-
phant at the edge OF the forest. getting
more and more wet every step from
the dcwdrops we shook from the tall
grass and overhanging boughs. the
whole line was suddenly brought to a
standstill.
In front was the village shikarri.
then followed the doctor. The latter
was the cause Of the halt. As the
major and myself pushed to the front
we saw him cautiously pointing to a
tree above him with one hand. while
the other was stretched out for his
shotgun.
What tho deuce is it?" asked the
major.
Don't YOU see it," answered the
doctor, exctedly. Where's that fool
with my gum
"Do YOU mean that internal little
bird?' questioned the major.
My dear major. that's one of the
rarest of iinches. Where's my gun?"
continued the doctor in Hindostanee.
For the moment we were speechless,
but the sight of the half-frightened
servant coming up with the gun loOs-
ened at least the majors tongue. He
seized the gun himself. and turning to
the doctor said: DO you mean 20
say YOU are thinking of shooting that
bird?"
"Of course I am" answered the as
tonishcd doctor.
And give the tiger notice of our APP
proach? I've good mind TO shoot
you first" angrily retortcd the major.
by Jove! forgot all about the
tiger"
There was no doubt he had.
As we entered the open space signs
were not wanting that the bullock had
been killed, for sitting on the boughs
of trees were vultJres, while others
We're circling above in the air. AS
we came in sight Of the carcass two
jackals were seen running for the
shelter Of the ncighboring Jungle. while
some Of the carrion were gorging Them
selves on the corpse. The tiger had
made meal of the headquarters and
we could easily trace its spoor down
toward the nullah or water course.
The doctor. who had won first
choice of stations, determined to take
up his position in the fork of tree
that commanded the open patch and
also short stretch of the nulah. The
ma or and myself had to make de-
tour to take up our posts lower down
she water course. rs in all probability
'stripcs" would conclude To cross it
aud seek for shelter IN the dense Jungle
beyond
Half an hour saw us in position. The
major ensconccd himself behind rock.
with capital view of the now nearly
dry river bed and friendly tree in
his rear. while | commanded long
stretch of the same. which just mt the
foot of the rock on which / lay took II
sharp turn To the left | also had a
partial view of the paIch that the doc
tor was supposed to guard. Word was
sent To the heaters and ]. at least,
waited anxiously for coming events.
1t was not long before the silence OF
the jungle was broken by the noise OF
the villagers.
There are few thiags more exciting
than Waitj tv TO- cot Vpur first sipht of