The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-07
A NOVEL TIGER HUNT.
Enticing a Great Cat Within Range
 by "Shikar With Bells"

Indian Sporting Times:
 For whole year the monster con- tinued his depredations almost without molestation. Over forty people had been slain and the village herds suffer- ed severely. The local forest ranger was in a state of terror, and had writ ten to his superior in terms much as follows. showing the difficult situations in which he compiled his reports:
 Feb. 1.-Up a tree, where I adhere with much pain and discontinue while bi gtiger roaring in a very awful manner on the fire line. This is two times he spoiled my work, coming and shouting like thunder and putting me up a tree. and making me behave like an insect. I am not able to climb with agility, owing to stomach being a little too big, owing to bad water of this jungle. Jungle mans can fly up tree quickly. Tven when I do not see this tiger and he does not make a dreadful noise see the marks of his hoofs and his nails on the path" So it came about that when my camp was pitched in the vicinity of the yellow peril" a deputation. headed by Koobbappa, pre- scented Itself before my tent and beg ged me to rid the neighborhood of a monster concerning whose doings each one had some piteous tale, to tell It was long tramp up the valley before daylight next morning and a stiff climb up the path, which wound its way over the rocks ana through the thick bamboo jungle. Now the jungle was so thick and extensive that to beat for the tiger would be useless task. What was to be done?
 Then I bethought me of a mode of hunting of which a sportsman of 50 years of age had told me. This was no Xvif adorned only with coating of wood ashes. with a tray containing burning oil wicks upon his head and a chime of bells in his hand. precedes the hunter in search of game on a dark night. Such was the plan now proposed. At 10 o'clock at night Koomhappa. smear ed with ashes and bearing the lights upon his head and the chime in his and. preceded me to the forest. It was weird adventure. Naught could be seen but the dim outline of trees in the gloomy forest. My companions movements became more grotesque and as it were inspired. The lights danced before my eyes and cast a baleful glare for some yards ahead The tinkle of the bells became more sonorous and filled the forest with a weird noise that exercised an inde- scribable spell over the senses. Sud-
 
 ed to advance. but frantically contin- ued its ceasless antics. I peered into the gloom in front and saw two lumin- ous orbs shining through the darkness Slowly they approached. The move ments of the dancer became spasmodic as the huge form of the tiger ensrged from the shadows and stood erect be- fore us in the dim, flickering light, with every hair set. breathing heavily with panting tongue and heaving sides As I raised my rifle and fired between the creatures eyes Koombappa sank to the ground exhausted by his exer- tions and excitement. The lights were extinguished at the sanae moment and all was silent and buried in darkness. For some moments I dared not move At length my eyes became accustom- ed to the darkness. objects outlined themselves amid the surrounding ob- scurity and the great form of the tiger appeared lying on the ground a few yards off. My bullet had pierced his brain.