Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-05-14
IN THE JAWS OF A TIGER.


1t is years since the following tale
was related to the writer by Bob
Barry, cousin Of the principal actor il
this thrilling adventure, and the re,
corder's memory may play him false
in some of the minor details but the
main facts are a narrative Of what ac-
tually happened.
Barry was tea planter in the tea
districts Of India-Cachar l think
and had been bothered much by the
depredations Of the man-eating tiger
that was literally making preserve
of his garden. Night after night the
huge beast had prowled about right
up to his very door More than one
poor coolie had gone down in a crum'
pied heap, crushed to a jelly under
those cruel, merciless paws.
Barry resolved to get shot at tn,
beast if possible. He got a neighbor,
ing planter to join him and his assist
ant in sitting up for fey nights il
the hope of bagging Mr. Stripes. From
the pugs in the soil about the bunga,
low, Barry felt sure that he would get
shot at him from his veranda. Sc
he and his two chums, after disposin2
of good dinner, drew out their long
chairs and with rifles handy proceed
ed to make themselves comfortable for
long wait for the tiger. Cheroots
were barred, as their lights would be
sure to disclose their presence to the
big chap. Conversation must be linn
tied, too, and be carried on in low
tone, if they were to have a crack at
the visitor Small wonder that the
time passed slowly and that as the
hours dragged their length along, the
heavy, sonsuou. air Of the Indian night
made the tired watchers nod in brief
snatchos Of slumber
With a Jerk that nearly dislocated
his neck Grant woke up from one Of
these ftful sleeps, and leaning over,
touched Barry on the ann Il say,
old man, he whispered, IF you and
Blain don't mind I will 60 in and
smoke cheroot. I'm dead beat for
sleep and can't keep my eyes open.
Barry nodded and Grant went quiet
ly in through the big dining-room
and into Barry room.
1t was two o'clock, and 10 sound
but the drowsy droning Of the tree
crickets came up out of the wall Of
gloom that spread like pail over the
whole outside world.
HaIf-past two, and still Grant re-
mained inside. Blain had nodded and
pinched his leg to keep himself awake.
"What is Grant up to inside o. he
whispered.
Gone to have a smoke, replied
Barry. you had better 90 in and
have peg and cheroot yourself and
stir Grant up I believe we are play
ing the goat anyway, sitting here, for
odd stripes has given Us the slip this
time. shall find out in the morning
that the NANCY brute has killed a COW
somewhere about the garden while we
have been waiting here for him. Bet
ter COW than a coole though, for he
takes the men often enough.
"No, don't want to smoke, re-
piled Blain. "but should ike deuced
much a cold tub. l believe it would
keep me awake for the balance of the
night
"All right. Go and have one and
stir Grant up when you go in; he has
fallen asleep over his cheroot.
On his way in Blain shook up Grant
and left him blinking and trying to
realize where he was. But he was too
sleepy to locate himself, and muttering
about Blain's stupidity in waking him
he once more subsided into a heavy
sleep.
After the others had gone Barry
found the stiffness more oppressive
than ever-their presence had been 50
much life in the great dead wall OF
solitude He, too, was soon nodding,
catching the monotonOus "Plunk
PUNK PUNK - of a night bird that
had joined the crickets in their drowsy
lullaby, family, very family, as he
partly reused himself from his nap,
The splashing of the water, as Blain
poured it over his head, came to his
ear as the leaping of the brook at home