Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-06-30

chlorydine, and gave Harris a corkinc
dose of it. 1t must either kill or cure.
Then I wondered what was best to he
done, and determined to get to Rhamsi
and summon aid to get Harris back
to hospital
L told him my resolve. We shook
hands without saying word, and /
closed the door of his palanuuin. /
! stepped out briskly along the road. some
times breaking into a jog trot and try
ing to break the solitude by whistling.
AS 1 trudged along I heard now and
again crash in the jungle close nv.
denohng some animal that had been
disturbed, probably at his meal.
After a time a feeling came over
me that there was something walking
abreast of me in the forest. If /
stopped the noise ceased at once. I
tried to think it was only nv imagi
nation. but the conviction grew stronger
and stronger There was something
Keeping me company. The moon had
risen and shone on the road, throwing
dark hadows of the trees across the
path and lighting up open patches in
the jungle, only to make the remainder
look darker by comparison. 1t was
when passing one of these open spaces
that saw my companion. My heart
stood still. Not Is PAGES from me
stood a tiger, very giant it looked,
watching me cruelty and switching its
tail from side to side
What wac T 70 do WA, w.
full of my sick chum, had not for a
moment thought of arming myself as
| started off on my midnight walk.
All l had was a light stick There
was no good in going back. The only
chance Of sUccor was in front. so I
pushed on. I expected every moment
to see the striped brute making a spring
from out of the grass. 1t was no doubt
enjoying my torture and was just play
ing with me. Suddenly the brute
seemed to have left me and I hurried
along the road, wondering doubtfully
If such was my fortune. All hope was
soon dashed to the ground, for, as I
turned the corner, I came to a sudden
halt.
u,
crouching on his launches, growing
slightly, with tail switching from side
to side, was the tiger. We looked at
one another, and I thought my last
hour had come. I thought I would try
and brighten him. I rushed forward,
waving my arms like windmills and
yelling my lOudest. 1t did brighten
him, and he dashed into the Jungle,
while [ ran forward, hoping to find
some refuge. There was not a tree
around that would have given me shell
ter, and furthermore had there been
one, | don't think l had the strength
to climb it. 1 did not believe I had
effectually scared the tiger, and soon
was sure of it, for I caught the sound
of it as it pushed aside the thick under
growth, and then, when I came to a
traight, level stretch of the road, I
saw the brute spring into the middle,
just where the straight ended, and
crouch down again. l tried the fright
ening trick again, but it only brought
me nearer him, and made him growl
more loudly and fiercely I stood still,
great beads of perspira ton broke out
all over me. / felt as if my veins were
about to burst. With an awful chok
ing sensation Of the throat I saw the
brute look over his shoulder. Then all
was lost in oblivion. I had tainted dead
away.
When / regained consciousness, white
men were daShing water over my face
and chest, and as I looked around.
some one poured strong brandy and
water down my throat
Had I been dreaming? Was I still
dreaming? We're my first thoughts, but
it all came back to me gradually.
1t was the fainting that had saved
me, for those around me were some Of
the officers from Rhamsi, who, hearing
that the bearers had returned to town
and deserted us, knew that we must be
in some fix in the jungle. They had
Immediately made UP a rescue party.
When they came up to me they saw,
standing over me, the tiger, which,
seeing the strength Of the new arrivals,
skulled off into the jungle with a bullet
or two whistling near to hurry him on
it was a long time before I got over
his way. Harris recovered rapidly, but
the mental strain of that awful mid
night walk with a tiger.