Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-05-14

in far-of Ireland for he was there
now in his slumber car, and a tender
voice was whispering words Of love
and welcome to him.
Fair on the chest is the chin, and
closed the eyes, else surely they had
seen that huge, 1.-the form gradually
taking shape and silhouetting itslf
against the dusty roadway, made over
the distant hill, Stealthily it works
its way closer and closer to the steps
leading up to the veranda, just at the
top of which he sits. Now the fend-
ish CLEAN of two baIeful eyes rest upon
him. Heavens VIII he not waken in
time The form is still fattened out
against the dark earth, only, like the
swaying of a cobra's head, with
wicked swish, moves the quivering tail.
But Barry still dreams Of home, and
the Ieaping of the brook is still in his
ear, for Blain is pouring the cool water
over his head, and Grant is slumbering,
too.
\ fierce rush-a blood-curdling
snsrl, as when cat pounces upon Its
prey-a scream of terror from the
dreamer, as he wakens TO find himself
thrown, crushed and bleeding, over the
back Of the tiger and borne swiftly
away
Strong and brave as Barry is, his
head swims, and he swoons for a second
or two. Then the terrible pain in his
arm brings him to, and he realizes that
the beast has gripped him by the arm
and is carrying him oft.
Clear and loud he calls This way,
Grant Follow up, boys Don't shoot
me Head him off :"
And behind him, like two madmen,
were tearing along his friends rifle in
hand, kept on the track by his calls.
He's making for cover, painted
Grant, as the cries sounded up a hill,
on the far east side Of which grew some
rather thick Jungle. "If We can catch
up before he gets there, We may make
him drop Barry; if not, God help the
poor fellow -
Side by side they ran in the dark,
and on in front bounded the fierce
brute, with Barry trying to keep him
back all he could.
Gaining" gasped Blain, as the cries
from Barry sounded nearer, and they
quickened their pace as they breasted
the hill
Like blacker line, not far ahead,
loomed the Jungle, but they were close
on the tiger now, for they could hear
him crashing along.
Don't shoot till he drops me- called
Barry I'm ON his back.
Up on top of the hill it was lighter;
they could see now; and as they rushed
along they suddenly saw the tiger stop
and face around He dropped his vic
tim, and evidently meant to charge
them.
Torn and bleeding as he was. Barry
had presence of mind enough to lie per-
fectly still. He knew that the slightest
move on his part might draw the fierce
brute attention to him again, and per-
haps this time he might take his neck
in the great powerful Jaws, one snap of
which would cause his death.
The moon was clear OF the trees now,
and BY its light Grant and Blain could
make ont quite clearly the position of
the tiger, and also Barry form on the
ground, almost in front of him.
Give to him, Blain, hissed Grant,
through his clenched teeth, and as he
charges I will give him another.
Sharp and clear rang out the report
of the rifle, and like a vivid fash Of
lightning leapt forth a streak Of red
flame then another report rang out,
and there was rushing, crashingnoise,
as a great body came hmling through
the air, striking Blain, and carrying
him off his feet and half way down The
hill. But it passed, and when he
picked himself up, bruised and batter
ed, he realized that the tiger had just
missed catchinghim with tooth or claw,
and only the body had struck him.
Grant was bending over Barry, who
lay still and motionless enough now,
with his white, ghastly face, looking
in the pale moonlight like that Of a
dead man. Coolies were running here
and there with torches and lamps,
shouting and beating their hands to
frighten away the man-eater By call
ING to them, Grant got a few to come,
and with their help Barry was carried
down to the bungalow.
Next day they found the tiger 80
badly wounded that he was quite easily
put beyond any more harm.
n ---,.l aG..r , 1op., barl