South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-06-26

down grade commenced nearly two
miles in length, AMI as We approach.
Ell this point my spirits began to
rise. could hear the labored breath
Ing Of tho trollymen as they painted
along. Suddenly this ceased entire
ly. aud elnneing round in response to a
shrill cry of alarm l saw nv two COW.
ardly attendants making off as fast as
their two legs could carry them.
The trolly had just rounded a small
bend, and looking ahead I was con-
fronted by spectacle that made my
blood run cold.
Barely twelve yards distant, in the
very centre of the track, lay tigress
fondling two cubs, and by her siie
stood huge tiger, gazing straight at
the approaching trolly.
For moment was deprived OF all
power Of action, and in that briei in
terval the troiiy. which was moving
at rapid pace. was almost upon the
savage family.
The tigress rose and walked leis-
urely off the track, followed by one
OF her cubs, almost in front OF the
iron wheels.
The other youngster was not quick
enough. and the wheels rolled ever
the little brute's tail.
The sharp yowl OF agony that fol-
lowed made my hair fairly stand on
end. L was past the spot by this
time. and glancing round saw the
enraged father of the family bound.
ing over the ties in pursuit. My res
volver had slipped from my hand
moment before, and as leaned down
to reach my rife. | lost my balance
and stumbled forward on the narrow
step, very nearly rolling out on the
track. The tiger was coming closer,
roaring at every step.
! A sudden idea flashed into my
mind, and without an instants hesi-
tation l creps under the seat. and
cronched in the rack close beside the
whirring wheels, which were new NOV.
ing faster than ever, for the trolly had
reached the commencement Of tho
long slope and was gaining speed
with eve ry second.
From under the scat had a brief
glimpse OF the brute's striped hide +,
and then the whole trolly shook as
though about to leap from the track.
l knew instantly what had occurred.
The tiger had gained possession of
the seat and all th at separated Us was
that frail plank ovcrhea d.
As the trolly swept on down the
slope at dizzy speed the brute growl.
ed ferociously, and thrust a great psw
into tho rack from one side while his
tail dangled from the other.
had to struggle together pretty
closely to get out of reach. and when
turned the rifle round toward the
trolly I realized what fix l was in.
The brute was as secure from my
fire az though be wera miles away in
the Jungle. could point the muzzle
Of the rife down the track-and tina.
was all BY and by, when tho trolly
reached the end of the slope. and its
momentum was sEent on tue level
stretch that lay beyond il would come
to a stan ]s,ill and the maddened III
ger would speedily make an end
Of me,
These pleasant ref .ctions were
suddenly interrupted by another vie
cious dig from my unwelcome fellow
passenger, and this time the sharp
claws actually caught my sleeve, AMI
had I not jerked it quickly loose,
might have been dragged out on the
track.
/ crept 10 the extreme edge of the
rack until my head was almost press.
ed against the Wheels-anG parted
the brutes blows With the rlae barrel
: / could easily have put q rife bal
through his foIeIegs, but ] did not
, caro- to arouse his ferocity TO any
greater degree. He was quite saw
, oge enough already.
, Meanwhile the trolly was spinning
down the slope az the rate OF half @
I mile per minute, and the level sIretct
i. that justly dreaded vas close OIL
: band.
CHANGING down the long shining
/ expsnse OF track, saw in the dis
lance the slight curve that marked
I the commencement Of the level. Ms
h attention was diverted 81 this mo-
= ment by a roar from the tigor, snt
r when | looked again ! was right a
tut c1tFes
Tne uolly SWEPT round the angle
/ with a j3rk that scraped my heat
o against the wheels, and then | saw
d. only a yard or two ahead, a big lret
: lying PROSTATE across the track.
{ Instantly there came tremendous
Q crash, the tTolly went right up int
: the air like a balloon, aud the mex
, thing / knew / was tangled up In
clump OF jungle grass with my fact
, tanned an inch deep into the mire.
rose unstosdily and shook myself
No bones we're broken, j thankfully
discovered, and / was IN the act o
I looking round for the tiger when
savage yell broke on my ear, and
, was hornfed TO sec half q dozor
fierce looking junglemen advancing
n on me with spears and bows.
: I believed my last moment hat
. come, for I was totally unarmed, ant
= I knew my savage foes would sbov
o no mercy. II Was nO doubt they VIII
/. bad placed the tree on the track.
But help was TO come from an IN
e expected quarter.
i n.t of = ctuunn If hushso bV Ga,