The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-07-03
FTET,DS OF ADVENTURE.
Thrill LING INCIDENTS AND DARING
DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.

THRILLING INCIDENTS AND DARING
DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.
Preserving q Tiger Skin While Still on the
Quarry, and the Animal Wasn't Dead
Almost a Fatal Mistake-Chased by
Rhinoceros-A Trumpetcr's Courage.
Arriving at the village Of Deypoora,
three miles from Ruttenghur Fort, we
were told Of tiger that had lately
killed very many bullocks, so we
started with several men to look him
up. We were taken to ravine in the
plains named Loonee and had taken
up our position on rocky ledge when
we were recalled by q man who had
seen the tiger. He directed US to the
spot, we cautiously advanced, and
looking over the steep bank Of the ra-
vine saw the tiger stretched out at. full
length just three yards or less below
US. He looked up and grinned horri-
bly,. Weinstantly gave him a bullet
each, whereupon he sprang into the
cover below and was out Of sight even
before we could get second shot. On
going down the bank we soon found
drops Of blood and easily carried these
on for some distance down the rayine,
when all at once they entirely ceased.
The ground was bare sheet rock, or
large slabs Of flat stones; so no foot
prints could be discovered. After 60
ing on some little distance we met
man tending a herd of goats who de-
MED having seen the tiger pass, and
indeed it was but too evident from the
unconcerned manner in which the
goats browsed and cropped the bushes
around that they had seen no such for
midable animal lately. So we re-
traced our steps to again search for
the blood, when suddenly man by
signs pointed to cave formed by a
large ledge Of rock that had fallen
from above. We knew his meaning,
though it much surprised us, for we
had only just passed close by this very
place, looking for the tigers prints.
All the men, as usual, were at once
ordered to safe distance in the rear,
while, placing our spare guns before
us, we knelt down to polish off this
tiger at an unpleasantly close distance,
for we were prevented by steep bank
behind us from going further back,
and view could not be obtained from
any other point. As it was, all we
could make out were the tigers eyes
shining very clearly in the dark cave
with an indistinct outline Of his face.
We silently agreed to fire together on
the word, zone, two, three" being
given by one of us. On the smoke
clearing away, we were delighted to
see our foe stretched out stiff on his
back. On going nearer, two small
holes, one over each eyebrow, from
which streams of blood flowed, caused
us to congratulate each other on our
good aim. We now walked close up
and saw that the cave in which this
tiger had tried to hide himself, al
though it had but o small entrance. was
large enough inside.
While talking over our lucky shots
We observed one Of the tigers arms
slowly move, but as if from mere
muscular action, caused by its weight
and the position the beast was lying
in. On noticing this suggested that
another shot should be given to make
sure, but Little slightly objected, on
the ground that it was only uselessly
making holes and so spelling the skin.
On this I agreed to fire where our
knives would first be used in taking
off the victims jacket, so at once,
while we were looking into the cave,
without putting my gun to my shoulder,
l placed its muzzle opposite the tigers
chest and fired the remaining loaded
barrel. All this time the men, who
from distance had seen us SO near
the tigers den, came running up toward
US in a great state of delight at their
enemy being killed, for so they and we
both thought was indeed the case.
Instead Of which, no sooner had fred
than, with frightful roar, up jumped
the tiger, as lively as ever. With one
bound Little, who is remarkably strong
and active, gained the top of the high
ledge of rock that formed the tigers
cave. Here he kept guard with his
spare loaded barrel pointed over the
mouth of the den; our other guns we
had left on the ground on walking up
to first look at the tiger. For my part,
in the most dreadful state of alarm. /
at once rushed through the men who
had now come up and were crowding
around us, upsetting three or four and
myself in SO doing. a
For the moment there was a terrible
panic, and, the ground being very un-
even and stony, everybody seemed to
fall over and trip up everybody else.
Some climbed small trees like MONKEYS,
while others in their fright ran clear
out of sight without stopping to look