The Forrest City times., 1899-02-03
ORREsT CITY. ARK, FRIDAY AFTERNOON FEBRUARY see

IF l only had a Delaying pin," hs
thought. Anything to throw!"
He snatched off his cap and hurled IL
IS far as he could to port
The tiger rose with hoarse growl,
glared at the flying cap. and took step
toward it as il fell.
The ship was lifting on another wave.
With trembling fingers Sid drew out
his pocket knife, wrapped his handker-
chief about it. and hurled both over the
tigers head.
They dropped in the port scupper.,
and. with a blood-chilling snarl, the
angered brute leaped in that direction.
This was Sid's opportunity. With the
monkey clinging to his shoulders he
sprang down the rigging almost at a
bound and sped across the deck. He
heard the tiger slide and turn. Then
he heard its snarl and the rattle of its
claws, as he began to cast off the line
| that held the boat
Terror drove Sid Holly's heart into
his mouth and made his fingers clumsy.
In fancy he felt the tigers hot breath
on his back and its sharp teeth in his
flesh. But he cast off the line some
how and sprang over the rail into the
boat.
At the same instant there was a rum
bling growl, and the tiger hurled its
sinewy bulk through the cir after him.
Sid, as he crouched, saw it shoot over
| him like fash; then heard it drop
with splash into the sea.
lie sank down trembling and ex-
hausted, not having strength to push
the boat from the ships side. The
| monkey tried to climb from his shoul-
der into his arms for protection. The
boat swung away of itself as the ship
| once more lifted. and by q sort of in
stinct Sid put hand on the tiller.
Then he saw the tiger rise to the sur
face. splashing as if bewildered. II
turned toward him and began to swim.
He gave the tiler further push, the
sail caught the breeze anC the boat
moved through the water.
A white-topped wave, kissing as If in
anger, threw its heavy bulk across the
| tigers head. and again the big beast
went down. The ship seemed about to
follow it. But the ship rose, and the
tigers head again appeared. The tiger
was plainly frightened. It was out OF
its element and the plaything of the
seething waters.
The sail caught the full force of the
breeze and the boat quickly drew away
from the ship. Again the tiger sank
and rose, weaker than before. Twice
was this repeated. Then the big ship,
her timbers groaning. gave a sudden
and ominous roll to port. a huge green
wave crawled across her decks, as II
seeking to stifie the smoke that rose
from the forecastle. There was an
other groan, with creaking of yards
and cordage.
Sid Holly clung like a drowning boy
to the rudder of his little boat. But ie
was already far enough from the ship
| to be practically out of danger.
Nor was the commotion as great as
he had expected. The waves boiled
furiously for few moments. Then the
Java, trailing her masts. went down
like leaden plummet.
When the topmasts had disappeared
| Sid looked for the tiger. 1t was not to
be seen.
"That came near being our fate,
Jock!"
The words breathed prayer Of graf
itude; and the little monkey. hence
forth for life Sid Holly's friend and
companion, crept toward him, as If il,
too, felt awed and thankful, and was
taken caressingly In his arms.-Golder
| DAYS