Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-01-13

less to say" said Capt. e. A. Arbuthnot.
After the cigars had been lighted
guest who had known him twenty years
before in India had pressed him to tell
the story of his tiger adventure there
and the captain had consented.
"The thing occurred in the Dabrah
Doolah district in Assam, where l had
gone with the idea of becoming tea
planter" continued the captain. 1.-THE
beginning Of the adventure, to tell the
story completely, was my meeting
shikari named Dassa Baihua on the
morning of the day when fell in with
the tiger. The word shikari, you will
understand, means native hunter, a
tiger hunter in particular. l was on my
way that day to look over tract OF
jungly land which thought of buying
and clearing for cultivation, when on
passing Dassa Bulhua's house I saw
him sitting in the doorway and he was
in peck of trouble.
''His old East Indian company's army
musket, the gun with which he hunted,
was lying across his lap, and he was
fumbling at the lock. He wanted to
go out into the jungle that day, and
here was his gun hammer out of gear,
so that when he pulled it back it would
not catch and stay at full cock. saw
at once what was wrong with the lock,
| and CHANGING to have with me a watch
makers file, I set the thing right in
five minutes. Balhua was very CRATE
full, and rode on, leaving him careful
ly loading the gun. I don't wish to get
| ahead Of my story, but will say here
that my stopping to help Balhua out of
his trouble was the means of saving
my own life that day.
"This meeting with the shikari oc-
Cured about an hour after daybreak.
l went on my way, and by the middle
of the afternoon had seen all cared
to of tie tract of land came to view,
and was ready to return to my bunga-
low. Of the two servants who accom-
panied me, I had left one with my
horse mile back where there was
some shade and grass. The other, who
was with me, I sent to the man in the
rear directing that they bring the horse
round by the road to point where I
would meet them. The man started off
on run, and after watching him out
of sight, 1 took my way along jungle
path toward the point on the road
where I had appointed to meet them.
THE jungle growth through which
the path led was made up largely of
bamboo grass taller than my head. In
terspersed with the grass were clumps
of bushes, low-topped korinda trees,
and here and there taller tree. Now
that I was alone the thought came to
me that should feel more comfortable
if 1 had kept my rifle by me, for it
being rather heavy to carry, I had left
it with the servant, who had charge
of the horse. But was not much dis
turbed by anticipations of danger as ]
strolled along the path, taking my time
for I expected to have to wait for my
men at the roadside.
"The thing came suddenly, without
warning. There was strange moving
Of the grass and bushes few feet away
to one side of the path, the tall grass
parted to left and right in the furrow
that came straight toward me there was
aloud, deep-throated roar-and the
tiger had me. was standing stock still
staring at the moving grass, for there
was no use in running away, for he
came out on me. There was one
glimpse of paws, jaws, and white
breast all plunging for me, and then