Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-09-18

~ of the depredations of a tiger
in various villages during
the famine year. In the course of his
remarks he says that for whole year
| the monster continued his depreda-
tions almost without molestation.
over forty people had been slain, and
the village herds suffered severely.
The local forest ranger was in a state
or terror, and had written to his su-
perior in terms much as follows, show
Ing the difficult situation in which he
compiled his reports: February 1st
Up tree, where 1 adhere with much
pain and discomposure while big
a tiger roaring in very awful manner
Z ca the fire line. This is two times he
spoiled my work, coming and shouting
ike thunder and putting me up n
tree, and making me behave like an
insect. | am not able to climb with
agility owing to stomach being a little
big, owing to bad water of this Jun
gle. Jungle mans can fly up tree
quickly. Even when L do not see this
tiger and he does not make a dreadful
noise, see the marks of his hoofs and
hiS haiiS ou tHe PAIN. lue writer OF
this article continues:
So it came about that when my
camp was pitched in the vicinity of
the yellow Peril" a deputation,
headed by koombappa, presented it.
y self before my tent and begged me to
\rid the neighborhood OF a monster
concerning whose dolngs each one
had some piteous tale to tell. 1t was
a long tramp up the valley before day
light next morning and stiff climb
up the path, which wound its way
over the rocks and through the thick
bamboo jungle. Now the Jungle was
so thick and extensive that to beat for
the tiger would be a useless task.
Nothing could be seen in the dense
thickets Of the cover where he lurked,
What was to be done?
Then 1 bethought me Of a mode of
hunting of which q sportsman OF
sixty years of age had told me. This
was the "shikar with bells" A ma
tive, adorned only with a coating OF
wood ashes, with a tray containing
burning oil wicks upon his head, and
chime of bells in his hand, precedes
the hunter in search of game on dark
night. Such was the plan now pro-
posed. AT 10 o'clock at night Koom-
bappa, smeared with ashes and bear
ing the lights upon his head and the
chime in his hand, preceded me to the |
Gforest. 1t was a weird adventure. |
Nought could be seen but the dim out
line of trees in the gloomy forest. Ny
companions movements became more |
grotesque, and, as it We're, inspired. |
The lights danced before my eyes and |
cast beautiful glare for some yards |
ahead. The tinkle of the bells be- |
came more sonorous, and filed the for. |
est with wierd noise tnat exercised |
an indescribable spell over the senses. |
Suddenly the spectral ash-clad figure |
ceased to advance, but frantically con-
tinued its ceaseless antics. / peered |
into the gloom in front, and saw two |
luminous orbs shining through the |
darkness. Slowly they approached. |
The movements of the dancer became |
spasmodic as the huge form of the |
tiger emerged from the shadows and |
stood erect before us in the dim flick /
ering light, with every hair set, |
breathing heavily, with painting tongue
and heaving sides. AS 1 raised my |
rifle and fired between the creatures
eyes Koombappa sank to the ground, |
exhausted by his exertions and excite |
ment. The lights We're extinguished |
at the same moment and all was ST. |
lent and buried in darkness. For
some minutes l dared not move. AT |
length. as my eyes became accus- |
toned to the darkness, objects out
lined themselves amid the surrounding |
obscurity, and the great form of the |
tiger appeared lying on the ground n |
few yards off. My bullet had pierced |
his brain.-London Globe.