The National tribune., 1899-07-20

This islet had been formed by drift
caught between rocks and gradually aC
cumuIated vegetable deposits. Though
very small. it served the purpose well.
Some bushes grew upon its surface, and
leaving these untouched for the sake of
their shadows, we easily ferried over ma
terialS for our screen upon raft IneSe
were, of course, procured at points to which
no large game would be likely 10 make its
way The shikaries set them up artls-
tically; when, everything being properly
fixed, we floated back again and returned
to camp.
What has been said of preparing for
watch on machans applies to an exped tion
such as this and need not be repeated. All
our party intended going, so there was
hardly any risk to be apprehended. 1T
goes without saying that five rifles made
such position almost secure against
assault-not even a mad elephant could
have Stormed the place with much hope OF
success As for panthers or tigers, they
would necessarily be compelled to swim,
and neither had any chance OF getting
there.
After exploiting his sagacity and per-
suaSiveneSS in selecting our hiding place
and making it appear desirable, Khudeck
Khan, as he called himself at moments of
exaltation, quilted the shikaries and sidied
up to us. There was. a prospect of long
enforced silence before that invetefate
babbler, therefore he wanted an oppor-
tunity to show off Beginning with
skarms in general, this wretch repeated
everything said before upon the eXcelen-
cies attaching to his own choice, and then
drifted away towards cOgnate topics. When
silva showed all beasts what they should
eat, he remarked, most began to devour
each other. How wisely that worked; for
where would his lords find them more
actively engaged in this occupation than at
water holes? Verify their way toward
drinking places was no turesgut, no path to
fl.farCy ns.,..
surprises near such spots. All animals of
any account ate one another there; yea!
even down to these Bunder-log (monkey
people,, who set free grubs innumerable
from the prison Of life. He, our servant,
had often watched by pools, because they
were schools for instruction. Thirsty
creatures sought them; yet feared. What
determined them? Truly it was a voice
from somewhere crying 40, bhai, 40
(cone brother, Gomez. Wood spirits did
this; for they spoke like forest winds with
many tongues, and deceived these doomed
ones that their fate might be fulfilled.
"Bap XII kusm. / swear by my father,
your slave has heard it when boughs tossed
and all things grew ghostly in the gloom. Vi
Here the flow of words, at all times ready
to burst forth, was abruptly stayed. Keen
and high, though faint from distance, an
elephants trumpet hoated to us on the
breeze. Khudeck made salaam whose
mockery was manifestly assumed; then he
said: MY lord, the elephant announces his
presence; perhaps, if our destiny be pro-
pitious, we may see him tonight"
1t was probable, quite likely, indeed, and
wild elephant is one of the most impressive
objects one can look upon. Few persons
fail to experience an awakening interest,
some quickening of memory and imagina-
ton, even while contemplating the greater
beasts under restraint. With gratified
curiosity INDUCED in safety, come mental
pictures of these creatures as story reports
them; fancies of what they might do, recol-
lectIons of their recorded deeds. In such
regions as we were (adventuring amidst an
immense loose menagerie) those emotional
or intellectual states are intensified 10 the
utmost, and actual scenes become indelibe
When we got settled on our island, every.
thing looked favorable. A steady breeze
blew towards us from the open shore, nc
clouds threatened as the sun went down in
blaze OF glory, and evening shades gath
cred fast.
In regular order, kind after kind, the
forest deniZens came To drink. But even
birds had their enemies. Each helpless
species of earth or air showed in its own way
how perilous they knew this simple and
necessary act to be. AS the numbers are, sc
is the slaughter Thus stands law tina
does not fail in its general operation; al
though no striking instance happened Il
occur then.
One might also see strong contrasts be
tween animals, appreciate their differen
characters, and understand what kind o
lives they led, from observing how thes
approached the dangerous water. TimiC
deer, trusting TO scent more than sight
stood by the forests edge trying for taintet
air. and came forward finally with slow anc
hesitating steps. Nervous, irritable mon
keys scrambled about, or scurried off ol
some false alarm, the elders preposteroasl,
busy and constantly cutting needles
youngsters who wanted TO play when the.
should have been thinking of their latte
end. Bears, who could catch nothing o.
that open, neither feared anything except
very hungry tiger. rolled clumsily along
while the wild hog staggered up, too stupi
and truculent to apprehend danger.
All forms Of animate life this vast wilder
ness harbors passed before US in unchange
naturalness that night; but the distan
trumpet heard at camp had determined on
course. 1t was resolved then and ther
not TO fire unless Stripes" himself or a
elephant should appear. Not a sign O
either was visible until after midnight
Then a tiger and tigress stalked boldly ou
of the dense black jungle shadows, coming
towards us with that long, heavy trea
which is characteristic of these creature
when unconeerned. They were filled out
comfortably gorged with food, and, a