The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-23
NOVEL TIGER HUNT.
Enticed Within Rifle shot by
"Shikar With Bells"

From the Indian Sporting Times.
For a whole year the monster con-
tinued his depredations almost without
nolestatien. over forty people had
been slain and the village herds suf-
fered severely. The local forest ram
ger was in a state of terror, and had
written to his superior in terms much
as follows, showing the difficult situa-
tons in which he compiled his reports:
February up tree, where l ad-
here with much pain and discomposure
while big tiger 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 / am not able to climb with
agility, owing to stomach being a little
big, owing to bad water of this jungle.
Jungle mans can fly up tree quickly.
Even when l do not see this tiger and
he does not make dreadful noise
see the marks of his hoof and his nails
on the path" So 1t came about that
when my camp was pitched in the vi
entity of the yellow peril" a deputa-
ton, headed by Koombappa, pre-
scented itself before my tent and beg
ged me to rid the neighborhood of
one had some piteous tale to tell. 1t
was a long tramp up the valley before
daylight next morning and stiff climb
up the path, which wound its way over
the rocks and through the thick bam-
boo 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 a sportsman Of so
years Of age had told me. This was
the "shikar with bells" native,
adorned only with a coating of wood
ashes, with a tray containing burning
oil wicks upon his head and a chime
Of bells in his hand, precedes the hun
ter in search of game on dark night.
Such was the plan now proposed. At
10 O'Clock at night Koombappa, smear
cd with ashes and bearing the lights
upon his head and the chime in his
hand. preceded me TO the forest. 1t
was a weird adventure. Naught could
be seen but the dim outline of trees
in the gloomy forest. My companions
movements became more grotesque
and, as II were. inspired The lights
danced before my eyes and cast
baleful glare for some yards ahead.
The tinkle or the bells became more
sonorous and filled the forest with a
weird noise that exercised an indie
scribable spell over the senses. Sud
denly the spectral ash-clad figure ceas-
ed to advance, but frantically contin-
ued its ceaseless antics. / peered into
the gloom in front and saw two lumin-
Gus orbs shining through the darkness.
Slowly they approached. The move
ments Of the dancer became spasmodic
as the huge form OF the tiger emerged
from the shadows and stood erect be-
fore US in the dim. Pickering light, with
every hair set breathing heavily with
painting tongue and heaying sides. As
/ raised my rife and fired between the
creatures eyes Koombappa sank 10
the ground exhausted by his exertions
and excitement. The lights were cx-
tinguished at the same moment and all
was silent and buried IN darkness For
some minutes ] dared not move. At