The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-01-17
CALLED ON THE KING.
How 3 Traveller Came Unavares Upon ths
Monarch of the Jungle.


Monarch of the Jungle.
We were breaking camp about nine
o'clocl. in the morning. having waited
for fog to be dispersed by the sun.
when a serpent concealed in the grass
struck at my horses nose and sent him
of in a great fright. | ran after him
down the trail and over the nullah, or
creek. On the other side of the creek
the forest was thick and the ground
very hard. presently came TO spot
where the trail branched. The left
hand one led around a hill of consider
able size. while the other continued to
ascend. l could find no hoof marks to
guide me, and after moments wait
took the riGht-hand trail.
1t was fifteen minutes before reached
the crest of the hill. The trail made
sharp turn there to the left. 1t had 10
on account of a great mass OF rock
blocking the way. Bushes were grow
ing upon the rocks and shading the
earth, and the instant my eyes lighted
on the spot l stopped dead still. That
was a capital liar for a tiger, The
thought had scarcely flashed across my
mind when the wind brought me 2
sickening odor. ! had scented the Odor
twice before. and my heart gave a
Jump as if it would escape. ] was there
without even knife ! had probably
been standing there two minutes, see
ing nothing, but stupefed. as it were,
with peril, when u full grown male
tiger suddenly emerged from den in
the rocks. He was a big one and
beauty. AS he reached the path he
was not over eight feet from me and
fair in the light He stood looking al
me for half minute and then sat up
like a dog.
had made an early morning call on
king. The king was at home 10 re-
ceive me. / could see and hear and rea-
son, but if had been offered all the
gold in the world ! could not have lifted
foot off the ground. My hands were
hanging down beside me- and ] remem-
Der that the fingers felt as ones toes do
when the foot is asleep"
Sniff sniff Growl, II was not
menacing growl, but rather one Of in
quiry. The king was no doubt sur
~ lHtA buk At " 90 Lbh aAlkA AaN "sta'A
devoured half bullock after midnight
and could not be hungering for more
meat. I did not lool, him in the eye.
10 have done that would have been -
provoke him. J looked aside. but could
yet detect his every movement
More smiling and snuffinR, and then
he lay down TO watch rae. For long
minute he sized me up and then began
purring like a cat Pretty soon he
rubbed his shoulder against rock, and
it felt so good that he turned over on
his back and began hitching and ~ b.
bing. as you have seen dog 10 ia play.
He lay for half a minute with his four
feet sticking mp Ike so many sticks
and then suddenly turned over with
two or three low growls ] said 20 NY
self that IL was possible be would go
away. and yet there Was fear that bis
curiosity would bring him down 20 re
II ne came 7 would shut ny eyes and
try 10 remain quiet. but the thought -
a nsu-cater suufIing away al my hands
and feet made n. feel as cold a. ice
sniff, sniff. Growt lie eoaIdn't
n AXE ne out There wac no reseu1-
blance 70 anv animal of the forest. and
10 man had ever walked into BIS pres-
ence before. He began purriaz aud
rubbing agaiu-stretched and va--ned
and finally stood u az attitude r.
listening and looked MP the path.
After an interval q fifteen second. h~
turned end stared - re and po.ut~1
his ears forward That was the crit