Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-09-21
IN A TIGERS GRIP.

there were clumps uf tall grass aud bam-
boo with now aud then tamaTisk tree.
Parrots screamed In the trees, and the star
tied cav Of some Indian crows made me
pause and look around TO see what had dis
turbed them.
The crows almost at once settled down
again into silence. aud as 7 saw no sign of
danger ] went on clreessly. was alone
for had sent lr.l my servant 10 find my
matchbox, wl ca had left at the place Of
my last halt, Tat had no apprehensions.
for ! was near the post, and the district was
one from which, as was supposed the tigers
had been Gle. red ont some years before.
just as ! was musing upon this fact. with
tinge Of regret because had come too
late 20 have hand In the clearance, was
crushed 10 the ground by huge mass
which seemed 10 have been hurled upon
me from behind
II | was stunned by the shock, 1t was
only for an instant When ] opened my
eyes was lying with my face in the sand
Not knowing where was or what had hap
pened, .>arted 10 rise, when instantly
huge paw turned me over on my back, and
| saw the great yellow green eyes Of tiger
looking down upon me through their mar
low black Sits.
did not feel horror stricken. Ia fact so
far as | can remember, | felt only a dim
sense Of resignation 70 the inevitable /
also remember that noticed with curious
interest that the animal looked rather
gratified than ferocious
don't know how long ! lay there, stu
pidly gazing up into the brute's eyes, but
presently | made movement 10 sit up,
and then saw that | still held my rifle in
my hand. While was looking at the weap-
Oh with vague, harasslng sense that there
was something ought 70 do with II, the
tiger picked me up by the left shoulder
and made of with me into the jungle, and
still clung 70 the rifle, though had for
gotten what use should put IL 10.
Having carried me perhaps half "A mile,
the brute dropped me, and raising her head
uttered peculiar soft cry. Two cubs ap-
peared at once in answer TO the summons
and bounded up 70 meet her. Al the first
glimpse Of me, however. they sheercd of In
alarm, and their dam had 20 coax them for
some minutes, rolling me over softly with
| her paw or picking me up and laying me
down in front Of them, before she could
convince them that was harmless.
At last the youngsters suffered them
selves 10 be persuaded They threw them
| selves upon me with eager though not very
dangerous foroeity and began 10 maui and
| worry me Their claws and teeth seemed
10 awaken me for the first time 20 "A sense
| Of pain. threw off the snarling little
| animals roughly and started 20 crawl away.
| la vain the cubs tried 20 hold me. The
| mother lay watching the game with salts
faction.
| Instnctively crept toward tree, and
| little by little the desire for escape began
10 stir in my dazed brain. When ! was
within foot or two Of the tree the tiger
made a great bound, seized mein her jaws
| and carried me back to the spot whence
| had started.
| "Why," thought To myself, this Is just
| exactly the way "a cat plays with n mouse. "
| AT the same moment a cloud seemed 10
| roll of my brain. No words Of mine can
describe the measureless and sickening hor
| ror Of that moment when realization was
| thus suddenly flashed upon me.
At the shock my rifle slipped from my re
laxng fingers, but recovered it desperate.
| ly, with IA sensation as If had been falling
| over "A precipice.
| knew now what wanted TO do with it.
| The suddenness of my gesture, however,
| appeared TO warn the tiger that had yet a
| little too much life in me She growled
|
| you may be sure, and resumed my former
| attitude OF stupidity, but my faculties were
now alert enough and at the cruelest zen.
sion.
Again the cubs began mauling me. re-
PEELED them gently, at the same time look
ing to my rife. | saw that there was II
cartridge ready 10 be projected Into the
chamber. Irememb bered that the magazine
was not more than half empty.
! started once more TO crawl away, with
the cubs snarlinx over me and trying 10
hold me, and 1t was at this point that / re-
allied that my left shoulder was broken.
Having crawled four or five feet. ! let the
cubs turn Inc about, whereupon crawled
back toward the old tiger, who lay blink
ing aud actually puuing. 1t was plain
that she had made good meal not long be
fore and was therefore In no hurry TO dis
patch me.
Within about three feet Of the beasts
striped fore shoulder ! stopped and fcil
over on my SIDE. as IL all but exhausted
Ny rife barrel rested on little tussock.
The beast moved her head to watch me,
but evidently considered me past all posi-
bility Of escape, for her eyes rested as much
upon her cubs As upon me.
The creatures were tearing at my legs
but In this supreme moment never thought
Of them. | had now thoroughly regaiued
my self control.
Laboriously, very deliberately, got my
sight and covered spot right behind the
old tigress' fore shoulder, low down. From
the position ! was ia, knew this would
carry the bullet diagOnally upward through
the heart. should have preferred 10 put
a bullet in tie brain, but In my disabled
| condition and awkward posture | could
not safely try IL.
just as was ready one Of the cubs got
! in the way, aud my heart sank. The old
tiger gave the cub Il playful cuff. which
| sent II rolling TO one side. The next in
slant pulled the trigger-and my heart
| stood still.
My aim had not wavered hairbreadth
The snap 81 the rifle was mingled with a
fierce yell from the tiger, and the long
barred body stra ghtened itself up into the
air and fell over almost Oh top OF me. The
cubs sheered of In great CONSERVATION.
| ! sat up and drew "A long breath Of thank
ful relief. The tiger lay beside me stone
dead.
was too weak TO walk at once. SO
leaned against the body Of my vanquished
foe and rested
must have lain there half an hour, and
my elation was rapidly subsding before
the agony III my shoulder, when at last my
man, GunJeet appeared, tracking the Il
gers traces with stealthy caution.
He had not waited To 20 for help, bu,
had followed up the beast without delay
vowing To save inc or avenge me before hs
slept.