Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1894-12-07

few minutes ago, as the sun would
have dried up these drops very quickly.
Probably the benst is still In the
neishborhood, ventured the corporal.
"Will you wait for him? Since he
was driven from his lair by forest
fire, he probably has not Stacked his
thirst, and will return" remarked the
shiek. "But whether he will return
at this spot or not, is written i'll the
stHrs."
L should have preferred standing my
ground and having tho bushes beaten
Tor the tiger, rs L did not wish my
hunting prowess doubted; but as
there was nothing to be gained by re-
naming i'll broiling sun for an in
definite period, L gladly accepted the
shoik's invitation to accompany him
to his home; or rather, accepted his
hospitality rs far ms meals were con.
ccrned, but suggested pitching my
tents, to accommodate myself and cs-
cort, opposite Sidi Mustaphas quar-
tors When We reached the latter,
found 1T to be II formed build
ing, which somewhat resembled one of
Constnntine's Arabian country-houses.
L followed my host into large
apartment, tho whitowashed walls Of
which were hung with the skius of
tigers, lions, badgers and wildcats,
and hero he Immediately unfolded his
plan OF attack, generously abdicating
to me the honor of leading the chase.
While we wero convcrsing, messen-
gers entered with tho information that
the tiger Ind not the previous night
visited his customary drinking haunt
Under these circumstances, Sidi Mus
tnpha advised TINT we should wait till
sunset and then repair to the spot
where we had seen the animals
Trucks, and hide ourselves behind some
rocks. be offered to accompany mo
and stand by Inc, i'll case tho tiger
should prove too formidable benst
for me. l told him, however, that
my servant, who would bo with me,
WAS an experienced hunter, and had
saved my life by several successful
shots when J. was i'll the clutches of
beasts of prey.
"Sid-Ab-Alluh how would love to
accompany you, and put II bullet into
the smoking thief" exclaimed the
shick. "But 1 will go with you my
how tomorrow.
The sun WIS still high in the hcav-
ems when started with my servant.
under the guidance of Blu askul.
Like all Arabs of the lower class he,
carried II long Arabian muskct and II !
perfect arsenal of weapons in his belt. |,
He had no intention of taking pnrt III
the attack, but (this was said with a,
cheerful communicativenessb born FROM
the hope of backshecsh--fce) that het
would only conduct ellis Excellency"
to the spot, and would then go to,
meet the shcik's daughter, who was,
expected back that dny from Thighs
tbs.
81 thought the women of your racel
were not allowed to leave their house, 81
l remarked, my thoughts absorbed by
the idea OF sport rather than of fem
mine charms.
"Why not?" he replied, quickly.
"Veiled and in the company OF trusty I
servants our women travel just rs
yours do. She has given her French
companion leave of absence for short:
time to go and see her fnmily, md is
just returning after conducting her to
the nearest French station"
1 was nstonished ut this explanation
and involuntnrily asked:
$50 tho shcik has conformed to
the usngcs and civilization of the
West?"
"Ho loves his daughter above every
thing enrthly-but what good can
come of accepting the Frankish Gus
toms? Instead of working in the
house, as women ought to do, Fatme
studies music and reads Frankish
books. She is T. fine girl, and Allah
alone knows how much good she has
done among our people; but she is
wilder than man, and wnnders over
the hills chasing jacknls, and that We
think is unbecoming to II woman"
This last remark was mado with an
mir of imperturbable gravity.
."How old is she?" l inquired, i'm
pulsively.
Hardly seventeen, your excel
lency, but she seems much older in
intelligence and disposition. Here We
are mt last !"
We concealed ourselves behind
number of rocks, and can truthfully
say that felt no fear Mt meeting one
of the fiercest beasts of prey-nothing
but feeling of excitement ut the idea
of the approaching conflict.
We could not have found more
convenient hiding place. A few
PAGES from us was tho noun
tain stream, where tho foot
steps of the tiger were still visible.
On tho right was the road to Thighs
tbs, while on tho left tho thick bushes
probably hid the animals lair. Bu-
Raslsul, with many wishes for my good
luck, which were probably ncccntunted
by the liberal backshecsh [ had pre-
scented to him, left us, and took tho
road TO Schaihi.
81 fancy the tiger will appear from
the thicket," 1 whispered to my attcn-
dant us we loaded our rifles and placed
them in readiness On the first rock.
Tho sun slowly sank, and / almost