Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-08-14
under the tree.

Just before dark Salad and I made
ourselves comfortable upon a favorable
branch, where we could keep sharp
lookout between the jungle aud the
sDring. with my pistol belt and ammun.
ision hanging close at hand, and a
heavy double-barreled rife and a light
single-barrel gun resting on the branch
above.
The sun was just dropping when
Salad Uncovered that he had forgotten
our night lunch. Watching all night
for a tiger upon an empty stomach is
not amusing, and forthwith l sent him
back for it.
The rascal! I knew by the way he
started off that he had forgotten II on
purpose and that had seen the last Of
him till morning.
He was Of little consequence, how
ever. except as company. l settled my
self with my eyes fixed upon that half
mile of open space between the jungle
and the spring.
The calf did his duty well. He began
to below and cry the moment the sun
went down, and kept ii up without In
PERMISSION.
For an hour 1t was so dark that l
could not see perfectly, even so far as
the spring, but l knew the tiger would
not have passed without disturbing the
calf. Then the moon rose, white and
clear, aud could see the faintest shad-
ow out upon the open plain, direct to
the jungle.
Hour after hour waited, till my eyes
ached with the watching and my ears
ached from the constant lowing OF the
tethered calf, but there was not the
faintest sign Of a tiger anywhere.
Sleep was literally oyerpowering me. l
was ravenously hungry, and firmly re-
solved to shake Salad within an inch OF
his life in the morning. My tongue
was fairly dry with thirst, while the
spring dubbed away within ntty feet
Of me.
Something must be done. I made
careful survey of every inch of open
space within range. There was not so
much as a bat anywhere. Taking the
light rifle 1 dropped TO the ground and
made quickly TO the spring.
The water was deliciously cool, and,
feeling much better, turned toward my
perch again.
Suddenly the calf changed his tune
to a gutteral gurgle. l sprang forward,
but. lust as I reached the clump OF
bushes, stopped short, and my heart
literally stood still. Close at hand there
sounded deep, mufled vibration, like
the purring Of gigantic cat.
l.. L,~I q cnnnH nffnn mt
to know that it meant tiger, whettinR
his appetite for tempting meal.
He was doubtless creeping upon the
calf. which fortunately, was on the
other side Of the tree, and when he
made the leap, If was ready and quick
enough, 1 could doubtless gain my
branch before he would turn on me.
To see how the land lay l cautiously
parted the upper branches Of the bushes
and looked through the opening. There
was the calf, pulling away on the rope
till he nearly choked himself
If ever mortal's blood ran cold mine
did at that moment. Between ME and
that tree there crouched the largest
Bengal tiger l hsveever seen. He was
stretched at full length, as cat stretches
when she is close upon bird. bis
great, yellow eyes shone like amber.
His mouth was wide open. The white
teeth shone in the moonlight and his
tongue, hanging over them, upon
one side, moved up and down in s most
insinuating motion, while his tail
swayed slowly from side to side, as he
took another long stretch forward, with
a noiseless wriggle, bringing his huge
body half its length nearer to me.
He was man-eater and no mistake,
The tethered calf offered no temptation
TO the feast that awaited him. He had
doubtless come to the spring in the
first darkness and been waiting half the
night for-me!
NV hand shook till the leaves rustled.
He paused for a moment and rose to his
bsdnches. The tiger is timid. eau
tIohs animal. The Intervention Of those
budhes had doubtless saved me for he