The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-11-05
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TUESDAY NOVEMBER ), 1901
A FISH-TIGER STORY


We were travelling along the north
branch Of the Gadevey river.
left camp at an early hour in the
morn n; for the purpose Of fishing.
While carried my rifle with me, had
no intention of going out of my way to
find game On the previous afternoon
| had observed what seemed to be n
capital spot In the bend Of the river,
and it was to this place / FASTENED as
| left camp. Catching frog for bait. |
flung in the hook. and il wasn't five
minutes before | was meeting with
such luck that all thoughts Of tigers,
snakes, jackalS and hyenas were driven
out Of my mind
had landed half a dozen good sized
fish and was just then playing a lar
ger one when slight noise startled
me. and looked around TO see such
sight as has seldom come to the eyes
Of sportsman. \ full grown tiger
was within five feet of me playing with
one Of the fish. IL was the last one
pulled out. ami in its dying agonies IT
was jumping about on the grass. Ev-
cry time il moved the tiger would
reach out a paw in a playful way, and
cnce or twice he struck hard enough
to move the fish three or four feet
| tell you was a badly frightened
man. and all could do was to sit
there with mouth and eyes open. The
tiger had crcpt down from the bluffs,
and why he hadn't attacked me was a
mystery. He went from fish TO fish.
turning them over with his paw. and
time and again brushing me with his
tail as he moved about My rifle was
ten feet away, leaning against bush,
and might have been idiot enough TO
try to reach 1t but for a warning.
My personal servant had followed
me to see what luck had. He came
into the neighborhood while the tiger
was playing with the fish, and, softly
climbing a tree. he uttered the call Of
a bird TO attract my attention and then
sang out: do nothing to provoke the
tiger. master. He is a hilOweele. and
If YOU do not cross him he will go
away He meant that the spirit Of
good nature had been transformed, and
it was clearly the common sense way
to follow his advice.
As the beast gave me no attention |
turned to the fish Juggling at the end Of
my line and landed him. He was OF
good size and full of vitality. and the
tiger waited in a playful way until |
removed the hook and threw the fish
on the grass. Theu he Sprang for It
as a kitten would for a ball Of yarn.
and he played with il in the same way.
1t was laughable. in spite of the cir
cumStanceS. to witness his actions.
He would run around in circles, as
you have seen young dog do. some
times almost leaping over me. and then
again he would become the cat and
creep softly forward TO pOunce upon
one Of the fish. Each one as caught was
flung to him. and ii was a full half
hour before he grew tired of the sport.
l expected he would turn to me sooner
or later, but the native saw the change
Of demeanor first and called: Master,
the hilowecle is going to play with you.
Be as clay in his power
The tiger suddenly left the last fish
landed and came stalking over TO me,
purring like a cat ana acting very play
fully. His first move was to worm his
head under my left arm. and I'm telling
you the solemn truth when say that
smOOthed down his fur as if he had
been a favorite dog. had on a big
straw hat. and this he got hold Of in his
teeth and played with it for ten min
utes, or until he had torn 1t all TO pieces
| had no more bait to fish with and sat
there waiting for the tigers next move.
When he had finished the hat, he
came over and rubbed his head against
me and purred in a pleased way, and
rubbed him with my hand from nose to
tail. | gradually got over my scare, but
was yet very anxious 10 know how the
affair would end. The sun was getting
wei w anu very hol- anu thC DNdS'
would soon be seeking his lair. In
about thirty minutes from the time he
appeared the tiger began TO show a
change of demeanOr. He became nerv-
Gus and uneasy, and the hair on his
back stood up at intervals. | judged
that he had got the scent of my serv-
ant, and such proved to be the case.
! dared not rise to my feet, but
made up my mind that II the tiger at
tackled me should make a spring off
the bank into the river. II was infest-
ed with crocodiles, but there was not
much choice between being eaten by
beast or saurian.
Once the tiger glared at me and
growled. but the next moment wbined
as If afraid and edged up toward me
as if for protection. The servant had
been keeping a watchful eye on my
strange playmate. and he now believed
the time had come for decisive action.
He therefore fired his pistol and shout
ed at the top of his voice. The effect
was immediate. The beast dropped his
tail, uttered long drawn whine, and,
with q sort of farewell glance at me.