Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-09-11
BICYCLE VS.. TIGER.

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was travelling through the large Malay
islands-Java and Sumatra-in company
with the Dutch geographer Moer and our
geologist Rousselle. We were going down
the river Banvyan Assim through the
heart of formidable forests and tracts of
country as much to be dreaded as those
that Rama pictures to his divine wife
Huge crocodiles lie sleeping in the creeks
and on the low promontories. On the edge
of the Ghicket appears the massive profile
Of the rhinoceros Of tertiary descent; the
monkey goes scampering off to leafy, sa-
vannalike stretches, and everywhere may
be seen the lordly tiger, the tragic king of
the jungle, vanquisher still of the new
conner, the Monaghan and the feeble Hin
doc shorn of his pristine Aryan strength.
We landed one evening at clearing
called Nieuwenhuys, settled by a dozen
Netherland planters with their army of
Chinese and Malay servants. The planta-
lions, which are large-about two miles
square-let in a patch of light into gi
gantc virgin forest. The village proper
is fortified against tigers, because in 1911
and 1858 they attacked and devoured the
Malays who had settled there.
We were most sumptuously entertained
at the home of Mijaher Vandon Ouwe
landt. His chateau was built of wood.
We were seated on the veranda, enjoying
one of those evenings in which perfumed
night is mingled with the glowworm s
light and the mystic course of the stars as
they fall like drops of fire into the clepsy-
dra Of the infinite. Great meteors, shoot
ing at intervals across the sky, seemed
like signals from some ship furrowing an
ocean of ether. The forest lifted its
strange, wild voice in oeaseless drama
herbivora groaning in terror, beasts of
prey roaring in rage, yelling in victory.
edo the tigers here often carry off
mem" I asked of our host between two
hunting tales.
"No; three or four perhaps in ten years.
In tho first place they no longer try to at
tack the village. They have come to rec
ognize very clearly that it is beyond their
strength. All animals, you see, would
learn to respect human life if they were
trained properly. That is so true that for
long, long time no Netherland planter
who has been here more than two years
HAS peoH ooo"ohoa' VI oio oohoA "oHu,
the Chinese, the Malay, the inexperienced,
have to look out for themselves. II we
had known now to manage dl1erently,
beasts hostile to our Kind would long since
have disappeared.
However tigers are numerous about
here?"
The forest swarms with them. would
not recommend an excursion near It's Dor
ders even In broad daylight.
We remained some time longer, drink
ing coffee by the light OF some blue lamps
that cast q slckly glow on the night, ana
then were anlo 20 re41ose.
When rose next morning, our host was
In the nelds: After cup OF tea round
myself strolling about the place. was
hesitating between taking walk IN the
neighborhood and arranging package Of
accounts when my attention was attracted
to an A NO. bicycle under shed.
recognized 1t as one OF the nnest ana
best known OF American makes. Now
had not mounted since had broken my
machine in the excursion near Malacca.
am, as you know, passionately fond OF the
wheel. I do not say 1t to boast, but won
the prize in a match against Banker. At
the slght Oh Jhls splenolu machlne was
seized with one of those cravings that the
real bicyclist shares with the habitual
smoker or morphine taker. At first re-
sisted. Then I drew the bicycle slowly to-
ward me and mounted, intending to take
only short ride. The road before the
house was quite good. 1t had been begun
by the Malays who had been devoured,
and finished by the Netherland colony.
started off delightfully."-, spinning along az
though in race. Positively it was per.
feot NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., responsive, fast.
My desire became irresistible, and sure Of
being excused by my amiable host away
/ went flying through the rice and coffee
fields.
In few minutes I had covered the five
or six kilometers that separated me from
the forest. found myself in a sea of yer.
dure trembling in the light morning
breeze. recalled my hosts suggestion,
but that sort Of feeling of stupid security
born of perfect health, the beauty of the
day, the slightly intoxicating effect Of the
atmosphere, prevented me from needing
1t. The remen branoe, coming and going,