The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-18
A JUNGLE STORY.
This One Told by a British Naval
Officer.

This One Told by British Naval
Officer.
How a Tiger Killed Family of Twelve
People.
As commander of the Huriugutta I
was returning from Allahabad to Calcut-
ia by the Sunderland route with 1870 in
valided English soldiers from the Gavin
pore and Delhi garrisons. Abreast of
Diamond Harbor Station we were sig
nailed as follows: Commander Hur-
ringutta gunboat. Fear some calamity
had befallen Sanger Island Light Station.
Proceed there with all possible speed,
and with sufficient force, ascertain cause
and report by signal through Kedgeree
Station. By order of Halliday, Lleuten-
ant Governor. On making out the mes
sage turned round and proceeded down
stream with the rushing ehb tide, every
body wondering what could have hap
pened. 1t was suggested that perhaps
the rebels were making flank move
ment, and destroying the light towers and
beacons of the dangerous channels. 1t
that should prove to be the case we were
likely to have hot work to do. Long be-
fore we sighted the Sanger Light Tower
over the skirt of the Great Jungle all
hands, soldiers and sailors. armed and
ready for action, crowded the fore deck,
straining for the first sight of the station
the prospective scene of
BATTLE AND REVENGE
Finally Kedegree Station came in sight
with danger signals flying at its flag
staff; and then. about five miles distant
the tall red and white tower of Sanger
Island, its light still burning, although
the sky was cloudless and the afternoon
sun blazed with unusual brightness over
the jungle land oil either side, AMI the
dangerous channels through the worlds
most dreaded quicksands There was no
longer any doubt that some dreadful Ca
lamityfreally had befallen the lone station
AS we neared fever OF excitement arose
among the soldiers. We had scarcely an
ohored when some of the Highlanders,
fully armed, jumped overheard and SWAN
to the landing while the others struggled
for places in my launch. We pulled has
tily for the shore, ard in q few minutes
my little force Of ten Laskers and other
sailors and twenty-five soldiers was drawn
up before the gateway in the high wall
that inclosed the station and it's grounds.
But the gate was locked on the inside
No signs of foot marks could be seen, nor
could sounds of any kind be heard. Moth
ing ominous was to be seen, except, high
above us, the beacon light revolving
wierdly round and round. The sullen
looks of the soldiers changed to bewilder-
ment and disappointment as the boats
vain called down from the top OF the
scaling ladder-'tI can see no signs Of life
sir, about the buildings or grounds. Only
| there's queer, warning kind of look
| about the place Better be on guard
against surprise"
{ Then. descending on the inside, he
found the key in its place and opened the
gate. I marched in at the head of my
force, cautiously, of course. every moment
expecting sudden volley from hidden
enemy; but all remained still as death.
l drew up my men at the foot of the
broad stairway of the dwelling, up which
proceeded with ten soldiers, pausina
every step to listen, ready to fire at an
instant's notice. But there was no sound.
Even when we were at the stair head nc
sign appeared, except,a little disorder OF
the sheets and pillows of six mattresses
which l..y on the floor along the front OF
sea. In the arm Dry ell was in order, and
in the dining room the table was laid
with nine covers, just as the servants had
prepared it the night before. In the Su-
perintendent's bed room, near she open
window, baby's little cot stood empty
beside the bed of the father and mothe,
also empty. Yet even there we found
no signs Of any sudden awakening OF
struggle except two slightly rumpled
sheets near the doorway, and few
| TINY CRIMSON SPOTS
on them and on the baby's pillow; but
IF this none of lis at first took much
notice. Even the little vigil lamp under
! q picture OF the virgin and Child on the
miniature shrine in corner of the room,
was still burning. Near this was framed
photograph of a baby girl smiling on Its
mothers knee, the father looking loving
~ on. While some of us remained look
ing sadly on the seemingly happy group
straining our thoughts in wonder as tt
what had befallen the originals a High
land soldier, who after an intense. start
led look at the picture had been closely
scanning the tiny crimson spots on thu
baby's pillow, suddenly sprang up as il
an arrow had struck him. and cried ont
There's been a murder here sir. These
spots are blood" And snatching up his
dirk brandished the blade above his heac
and cried again and again: "Wae wac
TO him that has split a drop o. that bon
ME bairn's hood. It's Donald that'l