Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-11-09


attitude of stupidity; but my faculties
were now alert enough and at the
crueleSt tension.
Again the cubs began mauling me.
repeled them gently, at the same
time looking TO my rifle. l saw that
there was n cartridge ready to be pro-
iected into the chamber. | reInem-
bered that the magazine was not
more than half empty
started once more to crawl away,
with the cubs snarling over me aud
trying TO hold me; and it was at this
point realized that nv left shoulder
was broken.
Having crawlsd four or five feet,
Let the cubs turn me about, where
upon crawled back toward the old
tiger, who lay blinking and actually
purriug. 1t was plain she had made
good meal not long before, and
was, therefore, in no hurry 10 dis
patch me
Within about three feet OF the
beasts striped foreshouIder stopped
and fell over on my side, II if all but
exhausted. Nv rifle barrel rested on
alittle tussock. The beast moved her
head to watch ne, but evidently con
sidered me past all possibility OF ss-
cape. for her eyes rested n much
upon her cubs a upon me.
The creatures were tearing al my
legs, but in this supreme moment |
never thought OF them | had now
thoroughly regained my self-control
Laboriously, very deliberately, |
cot my sight and covered q spot right
behind the old tiEress' foreshoulder,
low down. From the position | was
in, knew this would carry the bullet
diasonaIly upward through tins heart.
should have preferred to put bul-
let through the brain, but in my dis
abled condition and awkward posture
could not safely try it.
Just a. was ready, one of the cubs
got in the way aud my heart sank.
The old tiger gave th- cub playful
cuff which sent it rolling to one side.
The next instant pulled the trigger
and my heart stood still
Ny aim had not wavered a hairs
breadth. The snap of the rifle was
mingled with II fierce yell from the
tiger. aud the long barred body
straighteued itself up in the air and
fell over almost on top of me. The
cubs sheered off in great consterna
ton.
sat up and drew long breath Of
thankful relief The tiger lay beside
me, stone dead.
was too weak to walk at once, so
leaned against the body OF nay van
quished Zoe and rested My shoulder
was 10y this time setting up all an
guish that made me think little Of my
other injuries. Nevertheless, the
scene about me took on glow of eN-
quisite color. So great was the reac-
tiou that the vVry sunlight seemed
traushsured
know fairly smiled as raped
the cubs ON the mouth with my rifle
barrel. felt no inclination to shoot
tie Youngsters, but | would have no
more Of their-ardeut attentions. The
animals soon rallied this and lay
down in the sand beyond my reach,
evidently waiting for their mother to
reduce me to proper submission.
must have lam there half an hour,
aud my elation was rapidly subsiding
before the agony in my shoulder,
when at last my man, Gunjeet, ap-
peared, tracking the tigers traces
with stealthy caution.
He had not waited to 90 for help.
but had followed up the beast with
out delay, vowinS to save me or
ayenge ne before he slept.
The CUES, Oh ms approach, hSu run
off into the covert, 50 we set out at
once for the post. When ! got there
l was III Il raging fever, which with
my wounds kept me laid up for three
months.
On my recovery, found that Gun
jeet had gone the next day aud cap
tured the two cubs, which he had
sent down the river TO BennIes, while
the skin OF the old tiger was spread
luXuriously on my lounge.
You will not wonder that the sight
Of "a cat playing with H mouse has be
come somewhat distasteful TO me
since that experience. ! have ac-
qured 50 keen a sympathy for the
mouse,