The National tribune., 1899-09-21

| Unable to get the tainted air, uncertain of
the character of those gliding shadows be-
fore him, he probably stood too long, losing
his life because not able to see 90 well as his
enemies.
The same defect entails fatal results in
other ways. 1t is likely that sambur are
seldom deliberately stalked by tigers,
though among woodlands good many
perish by this means of capture. But
Stripes is far too lazy brute to take any
unnecessary trouble, and prefers an am
bush. Both species are nocturnal in their
habits, and the latter hides alongside some
deer-run or near drinking place to await
his prey.
During hours Of darkness animals whose
sight is imperfect trust to scent and hearing,
with an inherited and acquired experience
Of those means employed for their destruc-
ton. II one watches pool at night, it is
| plain from the way i'll which samDur deer
approaches that this creature does not ex-
pect to see anything. All its motions lndl-
cate that only those senses indicated as the
| animals special safeguards are exercised.
Tigers, however, know as much about
air currents that carry odors as any man;
they never lie in wait up wind, and, conse-
uucntly, while buck steals cautiously
along, standing still to make out the mean
ing of every unusual sound, carefully
scenting each passing puff or flaw OF breeze,
it comes within reach and is lost. Perhaps
a roar of triumph echoes through the forest,
| or perhaps you hear nothing but rush, the
dull crash Of the destroyer's deadly arm
striking, or an indistinct sound as this help
| less victim briefly struggles under the
gripe upon its throat. At all events, what
ever is heard means death, and that Is the
way in which most sambur fall beneath a
/ tigers attack.
| If an unvarying statement made by
natives can be relied upon, the axis or
spotted deer, and sambur also, are some
times beguiled into their principal enemy's
power. Hunting tigers-called so because
they neither habitually eat cattle nor
human beings-have observed that these
timid animals possess too much curiosity
for their own good. Like certain birds and
several species of quadrupeds, both will
draw near to any strange object which
attracts attention.
| SO Stripes gets on some thicket's edge,
moves rapidly from place to place without
showing himself completely, and makes
queer noises utterly unlike his ordinary
roars, gruntS, or growls. Thcreupon, an
Irresistible desire 10 find out what is going
on overcomeS any deer's natural warineSs;
it advances, Shies, stops, and goes on again,
as tn at length devourer almost as swift
untile panther ruSheS forth and makes an
end of this ovcr-curlous creature.
| The axis species was met with every
one might expect to see their light dun
colored and white-Spotted sides at any time.
Our finest pictures were fixed in memory
where there WAS water 10 reflect these most
graceful forms.
Often while fishing from dugout or
coraclc, with the rifle close by for any
square-noscd vicious mugger that might
be mcdtating cgll against man or beast,
these beautiful creatures have stood upon
the bank in perfect attitudes. We never
I,l. n-el, .t,,h fI,nN- ont
drank and went away without seeing us
stays with "beamcd frontlctS" tossing high,
, Sedatc, timid does, and delicate little fawnS.
Those other species mentioned swamp
and hog deer-:lre not hunted as game.
The latter, howeYct, frequently gets Killed,
because it is responsible for such trials OF
temper as no one can well withstand.
Imagine Il line Of great numbering elephants
half-hidden in tall jowaree or spear
, grass, and slowly quartering open country
l after tiger. Most of them are on the verge
Of hysterics-they always will be under
such circumstances.
, Then, suddenly, there is a rush close in
!, front instantly the nearest tuSkerS be-
come wild with fear and bolt; while theiI
companion idiots mix themselves up III con
fused rout, expecting TO be oyertaken by
I destruction at every stride. All this abom
. Unable fracaS is occasioned by the flight OF
some small hog deer, and nothing less like
a tigers manner OF going or coming can be
: imagined.
, Oar campaign however, shortly came tc
an end. The monsoon broke with unusual
violence, and, besides being nearly out OF
: everything needed, this Satpura country
: became impossible. Consoling ourselves
S therefore. with anticipations of future eX.
, we struck of towards more settled districts
and railroads, intending to lie up in some
ancient city until the rains were over.
- .The end)