The National tribune., 1901-03-28

This was what had attracted attention,
and the greatest precaution needed to be
taken in drawing near. An unusual sound
would have sent our game to the depths,
when finding it again amidst masses of
blackness, only here and there broken by
dim deceptive CLEANS, was extremely
doubtful. Yet Indian eyes were watching
and savages whose lives had been one
long training for such emergencies swept
the canoe noiselessly along.
Neither of us saw any sign Of Mani
tis when our harpooner made his cast;
but an immense dark mass wallowed for
some seconds in front, while Immediately
after the boat swung around and began
to go swiftly up stream. The animal was
towing us by the harpGon=line.
1t could not be long before it had to
rise for fresh air, and when that happened
another harpoOn was driven home. Hence
forth, every time it rose the lances came
in play, while through all this the big,
helpless creature, which must have
weighed nearly 1000 pounds, made no eff
fort to harm us, not even to upset our
canoe. 1t was sickening.
Both of US registered VOWS that never
again would we 90 Maniti hunting.
The meat, however, tasted very well,
and our native allies gorged in a way
which one must see before believing. They
were, however, resolved against any eXpe-
dition into the interior without revisiting
their village; moreover, certain men
showed plainly that they did not intend
going after tigers at all.
Antonio comforted us under this disap-
pointment with an assurance of good re-
cruits to be had at his home; then we
started up stream, branched off into the
rivers many affluents, and in course Of
time reached our destination.
1t was picturesque little place, en-
bosomed amidst splendid tropical vegeta-
ton, quite clear, also, and surrounded by
thriving plots of cultivated ground. The
elders met US with grave courtesy, we
were conducted to their guest-house, sup
piled with good provisions, and although
our appearance excited great curiosity,
this was not displayed in an offensive man
Der.
Next day Antonio enlisted a band of
''tigreros" tiger hunters), whose hearts
were strong, and that night there was
celebration in honor of our projected en-
terprise.
These Indians are poorly armed, and q
Jaguar can hold its own, therefore it is
bolder, more dangerous, and the people
proportionately timid as well as supersti-
tious on the subject Of this animals
powers. Precisely the same state of af
fairs exist in every country, where any
kind of brute kills men with the same
frequency that it is killed.
When darkness came they built a bon
fire in front of the council-lodge, spread
grass mats for US TO sit upon, and many
got moderately intoxicated, as this was al
occasion for festivity. No wonder tn,
liquor went to their heads, seeing that il
was mixture of rum, strong palm wine
and pepper so powerful as to be almost
a poison" That is the way in which ma
tives themselves speak of it, and being
savages, this concoction is abused; but not
to that extent which we saw among Sam
bos.
! Everything was ready for those dra-
matte dance representations of what fancy
pictured as likely TO take place between
ourselves and the tigers, when we heard
at some distance away one or two voices
raised in alarm, and almost Immediately
a clamor of screams and execrations filled
the air.
Human beings behave alike when a
deadly beast suddenly appears among
them. In Africa and Hindu or Central
American settlements their outburst of
horror and rage Is the same. 1t does not
resemble panic occasioned by other
causes, thus we knew what had happened
at once, and rushed for our rifles.
1t was all over in a moment, though
hysterical women still ran around Shrek
ing the tiger! the tigerp'
A girl lay fainting before her door with
one shoulder badly torn. Fortunately the
| pa" "iSStN HtI tuItutt VI but WOuIu
have been dead. Whatever medical aid
we could give was soon renuered and then,
| picking up our rifles again and getting a
couple of torch-bearers, the trail was
sought. II told it's story completely. This
hut stood near the forest; brush and high
grass grew close TO it, and jaguar had
planned and carried out his attack. like
some man-eating tiger of India; like the
latter, also, immediate discovery and con-
sequent outcry disconnected him. These
| great cats do not always desist under such
circumstances, but certain individual ami
mails get confused, and this was one of
| them.
| Tracking that fierce marauder we found
that he had gone all round the house, de-
liberately selecting an advantageous po-
sition, and then taken the best. Probably
this brute had studied the spot previously,
and knew these peoples habits. Nothing
Is more common than for man-eaters of ali
kinds to mako preliminary surveys. The
old Spanish writer, Father Acosta, de-