The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-07-11
CLOSE ACQUAINTANCE.
copyright, 1903, by C. b. Lewis.


One day as we were beating up for
est in search of water holes, so that we
might set traps for the animals com
ing to drink, suddenly heard ele-
plants ahead of me. | was leading
the way and supposed my men were
following. The afternoon was wearing
away, and whenever | struck fayora-
bic ground | Increased my pace to Il
run. | finally heard the elephants
ahead of me and was creeping up when
| suddenly realized that | was alone In
the forest | waited for perhaps ten
minutes and then followed slowly On
after the elephants, who were feeding
as they moved along. | expected To be
oycrtaken at any moment and was not
in the least alarmed. | was gradually
getting on to the heels Of the herd
when something occurred 10 alarm the
beasts again, and away they went at n
tremendous gait, and | knew ! should
see nothing more of them that after
noon.
| was now within four miles of the
was 50 low that ii was twilight In the
forest. | was going forward at good
pace when a huge hycna crossed my
path. with growl Two minutes later
there were yelps and snarls from every
direction and | realized that the night
providers of the forest were astir.
was going bravcly ahead and would
have been out OF the forest in half m
hour more when the sun went down,
and | had to almost feel my way foot
by foot The situation was anything
but pleasant If | climbed tree !
might be bitten by a snake lurking
among the branchc7, and the mosqul
toes would eat me alive in two hours
II | escaped the serpent 10 20 for
ward was TO guess at the right com
pass point, and heard sounds 10 prove
that wild beasts were prowling about
In every direction. Williams had Dor.
rowed my match box or | could have
lnade torch. had heavy single
narrel rifle. but no extra ammunition,
and therefore dared not fire signal
was picking my way slowly, feeling
a beaten path under my feet, when OF
n sudden | felt myself falling. one
cannot remember his thoughts in such
emergencies. | may have cried out,
but | do not rccollcct it, | remember
that ms brought up on my head ana
shoulders | heard Il fierce growing
almost in my ear, was stunned for
a moment. When | pulled myself NJ
10 sitting position | was at one END
OF mn elephant pit which was i've feet
wide, twelve feet long and twelve feet
deep. The other end was occupied by
tiger | knew il because | could
smell him and because he Ind his eyes
on me, and | knew his eyes belonged
to tiger. Elephant pits are generally
so firmly covered that no beast weigh.
Ing less than 500 pounds can hrca
through This one as ! nfterward ps.
ccrtaned, had been covered 50 loug
that the poles had rotted and weaken
cd. The tiger was ahead Of me IN fall
ing In.
No one can tell how Wild beast Will
net under certain circumstances. There
Is even a wide difference between two
OF the same species. This tiger did not
rush upon me rs | fell into the pit, but
that might have been the action Of an
other As became certain of the stu
alton | found little In II to console me,
and admit that | was badly ratified.
The tiger kept his two grecnish eyes
fastened ON me- but / glanced ~ him
only Mt long intervals. The fact that
lac had not attacked me might be- taken
as proof that he would not If did not
provoke him II was very hot night
above but quite cool nj the bottom OF
the pit. and not n single mosquito found
liz WAY down there. After a lapse of
half an hour | began 20 get my nerve
back. and II may astoniSh you 10 learn
that | took number OF short maps dur
Ing the long hours OF that night
! was sleeping quite souudly when
daylight came and a whining, snuniug
noise made by the tiger aroused me
My eyes were hardly open when he
came over To me and smcllrd NJ my
knees and feet and hands. lie actual
~ rested his head ON my knees ana
looked into my eyes. | think he was
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ual whine. Every wild beast seeks its
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