The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-06-26

accept 1 was a little dazed and I
didn't feel sure whether ! was called
upon To kill tigers, and l was quite
sure that was out of my line. But
papa was in hearing distance, and
when he saw that | was hesitating he
came forward and advised sme to"ac-
cept. The delegation of two left
On the Gay appointed we proceeded
| directly to the province of Surabaya
| and there we were met by an escort
| 1t was a pretentious escort and we felt
very important gaS we were Deing con-
| Quoted to seats near the gameang.
| They were playing in the shade of a
| bunch of tamarind trees which. with
rows of bamboo. grew upon every side
| of the open field.
| At one end of the open space were
some low sheds matched with dry
| grass. In these sheds were traps con-
4 tanning the tigers to be slain. Round
| about the field were ranged bamboo
stands, lightly rooted. where spectators
| were gathered to view the torture Of
| the beasts to be slaia for their en-
| jeymelit These seats were comforta-
| bly, shielded from the glare Of the
southern sun, not only by their roofs,
| but also by the spreading branches Of
| trees that made cool shadows. Some
! of the spectators stood in front of these
seats and in their throng could be
| seen here and there a huge parasol
such as the Japanese often substitute
! for q hat.
| AS we were shown to our seats. pa
| pa and mamma We're called away by IL
| friend and they left me alone. promis-
| ing to return soon. I could feel at
ease, for the surroundings were so
| strange to- me. But / tried to put on
/ a bold front and look as If L was used
| to tiger-killings. l have been on the
1 stage long enough to know that you
can't let go of your nerve when per-
Torrance lies ahead.
| The gongs of the gamelang rang out
sharply, and at this signal the whole
| field except for a few yards in front
| native huntsmen each bearing In his
| hand a long spear.
| In front of the seats, in front of the
standing spectators, these formed still
| another circle.
| Scores upon scores of them were
ranged there making a complete in
| closure of the open field. They stood
as close together as was possible,
| leaving no chance of escape for the
beasts soon to be released within their
circle. Their long spears were held
| ready for use, all pointed toward the
center of the Enclosure. The men We're
dressed in no uniform, but all We're In
the loose, cool costumes of the native
| huntsman They were a. cruel-faced
| lot of dark creatures more brute than
man, 1 thought of many.
There they stood ranged and wait
| ing. l declare they positively looked
hungry for the blood of those helpless
beasts that they were waiting for. And
the people waiting for the sight We're
as delighted and eager as Spaniards at
bullfight
The musicians suddenly played loud
ly. sharply.
This evidently was another signal,
for on the instant there appeared four
bullock carts each bearing a trap and
tiger. with the driver walking beside.
The drivers placed the traps in the
center of the field and drove back to
the matched sheds.
Four young huntsmen ran out quick
ly and threw open the doors of the
traps. They then ran as quickly back
to their places in the circle.
For some minutes not a movement
was made by the animals. The spec
tators We're waiting in GREATNESS sus-
pense. At last a bead protruded, then
pense. At last "a head protruded, then
to it by some enchantment, the four
big brutes faced the circle of their
slayers.
For an instant they paused as if In
doubt Then with a steady, stealthy
trot, they made for the human fence
all going in different directions. They
were running straight into the death
prepared for them.
AS they drew near the huntsmen,
they lowered their bodies and sprang.
In the moments following there was
chaos. a fearful din arose; horrible
roars of agony from the wounded
beasts, the shouting of many people,
the crashing of gongs of the game
lang.
When quiet was restored and the
crowd stood back L could see the four
beautiful beasts lying there dead At
least a dozen wounds were in each
glossy hide. That game was over and
the spectators were ready for the next,
Again came the bullock carts from
the matched sheds, and again they
bore four Gagged tigers. The traps We're
deposited in the field, the drivers load
ed the dead bodies and drove off.
The new traps were opened by men
who ran back to the circle.
The tigers appeared. This time only
three made for the people. The fourth
seemed daZed. 1t stood near the traps
with lowered head. That was at the
time that the photograph on this page
was taken.
The three that had advanced were
easily made way with. The crowd was
caused. by this sulky beast. At last
one OF the hunters, holder than the
rest. approached the stupid animal and
att .mpted to arouse It,
1t was only too easily done. Tigers
never quite sleep. By one terrific growl
1t showed that it was awake and with
out pause 1t rushed at the native.
The man would have escaped had not
his foot caught He fell With one
tearing blow from the huge paw the
furious creature slew him. The other
hunters rushed in too late.
The tiger no longer sulked. With an
other of those fearful roars that made
my blood run cold, 1t tore its way
through the ranks. Wounded. bleed