The National tribune., 1899-06-29

been shikaries from generation to gen.
eration-one teaching the other. Vet,
besides much wisdom thus preserved, my
father possessed magical charms peculiar
TO himself, so that he was fortunate and his
reputation increased. | think nay father
had communed with q witch-tiger, learning
of those spirits who rode upon its head No
such opportunities have been granted me,
however, for | could not acquire reliable
amulets, though often promised them by
price without scruple." (Here followed
certain aspirations with regard to the fu-
tureo of these ecclesiasticS which are omitted. }
"One day, while your servant was Young,
a peon Government messenger came 10 our
village. Where is that Katir Brii-rao the
shikari,' he shouted. 'Anl | to be kept
waiting while a hog like this wallows in
idleness? On your heads bring him in
stantly.' Therefore people fed in all di-
rections seeking my father, 10 whom when
he came and had been reproaciled, the dis
patch-hearer said: Give thanks, o man, for
my Lord Captain Yark tehadur Captain
y York- the conqEerori hath need OF thee.
There is a tiger-may his ancestors graves
be de:iled forever-that defies him. j have
spoken miserable o.re-the accnrSed defies
him ennd VIII not permit himself to be come
up with. He is devil who knows how 10
vanish, and the HuZoor has heard you have
ways with such. This is an animal not to
be endured. Its custom is to kill deer in the
forest, cattle on pasture lands and men
everywhere. By that Great Spirit who
.,ludges all, no natural tiger would so con-
duct itself
: my father took me with him. and when
we reached camp the Presence Immediately
roared at us like a lion of Guiarat for being
late. This Sahib was of great size, and
very red. He valued his own opinions, and
tolerated none other; neither having pa
tience, nor listening TO oremoastrances. No
1a1., tod
weary. The Captain drove us forth quickly,
demanding to know how that tiger dis
appeared. and forbidding any one to make
mention of magic. When Bhikaree-this
was his chief tracker's name-got safely
away to some distance, he stopped and
bewailed himself. Hi! vi! unhappy one that
lam. what is to be do:ie now? The infamous
brute is certainly bewitched, and we dare
not say so;-dare not return without informa.
ton; can not for oIr souls venture to make
any crooked talk
Then my father soothed this distracted
man, also infuiring minutely concerning
the Durrut bagh. His questions-wbich
thought Notwithstanding answered by
Bhikaree, it seemed plain that magical
powers were at work. Was It not mon.
Gtrous TO he ahunting tiger, cattlc-lifter, and
mal-eater, al III one? Could shikaries and
wooicutters who attasted it be Fascinated
by anything but necromancer? Did he
'o - L, - '''e "'Ao i's IA
wait, escape from IngieeZ potentatcS who
came 10 Kill him: and vas not Captain Yark
after three separate hunts still longing 70,
his skin? Lookout men had lately seer
him going before the beaters with com
posure. Not breaking back, stealing along
cross ridges, or taking advantages which
are customary among tigers. Yet when
near the mouth of those ravineS which r;Ir
out upon bare rocks, when close 10 One
Rock Pool, where rifles awaited him, Tho
animal, with its trail, yanished-pnt o.
inyisibility, and could in nowiso he found
We spent much time over this maze ot
gorges wherein the tiger lived, my fathe!
climbing trees 20 iooi, around. pearing into
every place, asking perpetually OF this ol