The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-18


our camp had been pitched under the
wide-epreading branches of three great
trees with aQ open plain all about us,
Behind us was a small creek, now nearly
DRY. and between us and the creek, a
! distance of one hundred feet. were two
! bushes I'm line and about twerty feet
apart. To have glanced around him one
would have said there was not enough
cover for a hare 10 approach us upper
celyed
The four Of us came I'm early one after
noon after having failed to rout out a
/ tiger which had been marked down four
or five miles away We had dinner a bt
earlier than usual. and the sun was still
three-Quartcrs of an hour high when we
carried our camp chairs outdoors and sat
down for a smoke. There had been a
shower that afternoon, and the evening
was DELIGHTFULLY."- pleasant We sat down
I'm the form OF a square with the chairs
perhaps six feet from the common center.
Major Grill was exactly In line with the
bushes. back To- them, and was exactly
in front of him To my right and one
hundred feet away were the three tents
Of our natives and our horses were staked
out and grazing II was scene Of peace
and quietness, and no man had the re-
hottest idea Of danger
. What IS IL. Colonel? Looking for
snakes again? Ha! ha! ha!'
The Major was telling us about shoot
ing his first tiger. and had interrupted
him 10 stand up and peer over his head
Somewhere hetWeen us and the creek /
had caught a movement like
the flight Of a shadow made 10y a waving
branch.
l sat down after half minute, rather
ashamed Of myself. and the Major went
looked straight over his left shoulder. and
Il was perhaps ten minutes when / detec-
ted the same movement again This time
1 thought l caught a neeting glimpse of
the tip Of tigers tail ana even my
look OF wonder and anxiety was ridiculed.
Why man. the sight OF those tiger
tracks to-day has urstrung your nerves"
exclaimed the Major. after roar of
laughter. However. we've all been new
at the business I'm our time. and can SYM
pathize with YOU"
Men dread rldicule. / settled back 10
pay closer attention 10 the Majors story.
and looked In every direction except over
his shoulder Five minutes had passed.
and the trees above us were Casting long
shadows toward the creek when glanced
at the bush again. Ny eyes had scarcely
turned that way when detected move
ment through The foliage of the nearest
bush. II was near the roots of the bush.
and I wondered II il was not a pheasant
seeking her nest.
why. man. you're looking over my
shoulder againi" laughed the Major
Come now, but what Is it2 Let's all
stand up and have a look. Does any one
behold the 1.-THE. striped body Of the
dreaded man eater stealing upon his
human prey? Which Of us has he Sc
lected? When does the banquet come
off? Upon my word, Colonel but you
must get a bracer on your nerves or
youll miss your first tiger at the muzzle
OF your rifle
l was indignant with myself for having
attracted such general attention but the
Major had not been seated three minutes
when my eyes wandered 10 the bush
again / saw the same movement as be-
fore, but there was something In addition.
] caught CLINT Of fire, as If a live coal had
been passed from right hand TO left That
believed TO be FREELY. l had partly
turned my head when something took 10
be great bird rose above the bush and
came sailing toward us. 1t alighted half
way between us and the bush. rose again
as IL on wings. and next instant a man
eating tiger crushed Major Grill 10 the
earth. AS he alighted upon the unfor-
tunate officer he struck a powerful blow
win his right fore paw. and that blow
Killed the man stone dead.
"a tiger! A tger!l heard the ser