The sun., 1899-01-22
TIGER vANQUISHES LION.
FRElRRLNGED COMBAT IN INDIA
TO SETTLE TIE SUPREMACT.

Rear to Meet the Victorious Tiger.
II there is one problem which has causet
much talk and good natured discussion amonI
naturalste and hunters-one subject often de
bated and never settled-lt has been the ques
tion of relative strength between the lion ant
the tiger. East Indian shikarres, or native
hunters. and mighty English nimrods of Ben
gal have maintained that the tiger is the trut
king OF the cat family and able to thrash any
lion that ever roared by nghtiaIl. Other
Englishnen who have hunted in South Africa
ne stoutty declare that tho lion is what the
picture books have ever made him monarch
of all beasts and an overmatch for any tiger
Tint might question his royal dignity. Men
Rgerle keepers say that Il takes seven men Ia
throw. hold down and handle captive tiger.
while flvc can easily attend to n lion. but admit
that tho tiger exercises more and keeps his
natural strength much better In cage than a
lion. who is OF q sedentary disposition when
once lodged behind iron bnrs. They also say
that tiger would whip lion by reason Of it's
natural ferocty as compared with the lions
more lofty and generous disposition. Put q
tiger and lion together" says an old circus
man. and the tiger would Jump right at tho
Hons throat. while the lion would be holding
out his raw as much as TO say. How are you.
old fellow? Glad to see you"
The Asiatic Honor. at least. the yellow beast
OF Hindosfan-is acknowledged to be too small
and too timorous to cope with the Bengal
tiger. while the tiger does not inhabit Africa.
the homo OF the gigantic black -maned and
crested lions largest OF their family meet
Ing on equal terms between an Asatic tiger
and an African lion would be the only really
satisfactory test OF the powers OF the two great
cats, and, until few weeks ago. such a meet-
Ing had never occurred
A fairly fought battle between lion and tiger,
however. has been decided at last. and the
combat took place at the court OF that WE'LL
known sport and royal good fellow. the Gaek-
war tRaiput King OF Baroda. one OF the numer-
Gus protected monarchies still existing
under the shadow Of tho British crown in Hin
dostan. Ben f. Dodson. n travelling man who
now ranges between New York and Chicago.
but was once. like many other Americans,
visitor Mt the palace OF Baroda. received
letter few davs ngo from an English gentle
man. Capt Travers. now temporarily dorniciled
In Bombay Capt Travers favorite of the
Gaekwar was present Mt the meeting OF the
mighty cats. and wrote Mr.. Dodson at much
length concerning the great battle.
Capt. Travers's letter says that the Cfaekwar
who is ar enthusiastic naturalist. and also
much devoted to the gladintorial diversions so
beloved OF all Indian princes. had long been in
tending to test the relative powers OF the jun
gle monarchs, hut had never been able to set
tie the matter In a satisfactory fashion SO far
ms India is concerned. the tiger Is supreme
He Ia superior TO the lion OF Hindostan In every
particular. size strength. activity and courage.
Statistics prepared by the Gaekwar show that
the average length, from nose to root Of tail,
Of the tigers killed In his territories during tho
past ten years has been seven feet and four
inches. while the average length OF the lions
slain by his shikarrie5 has been only six feet
and six inches.
On several occasions. Indian lions had been
matched against Bengal tigers before the as
semhled guests OF the Gaekwar. and the tiger
had invariably come off victor. English WIS.,
itors. menagere keepers and other com petent
authorities assured the Gaekwar that the tiger
was the stronger and more dangerous creature,
bat. the prince declined to accent the verdict
Tho African lion. he declared. was the acknowl-
edged king OF beasts. and needed only fair
tria' to provo himself the master OF the tiger
He said:
Il will get possession of M African lion some
dav. and will give public battle that shall be
worth going miles to look upon"
The Gaekwar's opportunity came at last
Nearly year ago party OF Arab hunters,
ranging along the Atlas mountains between
Morocco and Algeria. succeeded in capturing
magnificent specimen OF the crested or Mount
Atlas Iion-the largest and most formidable Of
all African feliae and much superior TO the
blhek-manet lions Of South Africa In bulk and
bravery. They managed to get the animal un- |
injured into strongly constructed cnge and
sold him to some French showmen. who soon |
after took their menaeerie to Alexandria, |
Cant Walters. nm English officer who had |
frequently been a guest of the Gaekwar. and |
knew Of hts earnest desire for an African lion. |
happened to be in Alexandria and made the |
Frenchmen substantial offer for their crested !
prisoner. The Frenchmen. who were in |
money difficulties. gladly parted with the lion.
and the next English steamer for Bombay |
bore the monarch Of Mount Atlas as an unwill- |
ing passenger.
The Gaekwar was as delighted as a child
with new toy when he received the monster
He gave orders to put the lion INTO a roomy in
closure and to feed him as bctitted n lion OF his !
size and dignity. Atlas as the giant was
named, quickly recovered from the fatigue of
his travels. alto heartily and roared so furi-
ously at night that many OF the Gaekwar's Wis
itors. unable to sleep on account OF the noise,
retired to the suburbs OF Baroda.
The Ga'kwar's next step was to send his
out In all directions. with orders to
get the largest tiger that money could buy or
their arts make prisoner He then sent invita-
lions to scores Of British officers md Hindoo
announcing that grand trial Of the
strength OF lion and tiger would take place at
Baroda on Nov 10. as the chief feature of long
md yared programme, Guests began to pour
n. and Baroda was soon crowded with the
sporting blood Of India, all eager to see the
coming battle and prodigal with ready wagers.
The Gaekwar's shikarries had been unable
% scare up any tigers In the Baroda country.
'nt an English sportsman at Smla. wishing to
lelp his old friend along. built a trap and
aptured veteran man -eater. long regarded
IS one Of the most terrible tigers OF the Hima-
aya region. This beast arrived at Baroda on
Oct. ~. and the betting. which had been 2 TO
m the lion. at once began to turn the other
way. The Simla tiger WAS demoniacal crea-
ure In appearance-a middle aged brute of
'normous bulk. immeasurable strength and
'ruel. crafty eye. The Ga skwar was overjoyed.
On Nov. q the brutes were put on half rations,
md this supply was cut In two twenty four
iours later Meanwhile the Princes carpenters
lad been busy preparing the amphitheatre-a |
'ast structure OF heavy logs. open TO the sky
md encircling pit or arena about fifty feet in |
tameter, A belt six feet wide fonninD tho |