The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1905-11-11
STRANGE TALE OF THE MAN
EATING TIGERS or INDIA.


l was IN charge Of a party making
. survey for a faiiruaa line between
SaKpoor and Hyderahad. India, ana
as there was no hurry about the
woFk eur party was as much
hunting as a surveying party,
| left camp AT an early hour one
morning - fish. While | carried my
rifle with me-. | had no intention OF
going cut Of ny way TO find game.
On the previous afternoon | had OBJ
served what seemed to be a capital
fishing spot IN the bend q the river.
Some ef the native servants were
astir. and saw me set out. but I did
not want their services IL was
pretty thick iungie between the
camp and the bend. bat at the bend
there was clear spot an acre IN
extent. With a heavy forest growth
and leage Of rocks for back
ground
/ had landed half a dozen good
sized fan. and was Just then playing
a larger one. when a slight noise
startled me. and ! looked around 10
SEE such sig-- as has seldom come
to the eyes Of sportsman. A full
grown tiger vas within five feet Of
me. Playing with one OF the fish. n
was the last fish pulled out. and Ia
around IN the grass. Every time II
moved the tiger would reach out
paw IN a playful way. and once or
twice he struck II hard enough TO
move the fish three or four feet
Tell you | WAS a badly frightened
man, and all I could do was 10 sit
there with eyes and mouth opened.
The tiger had erept down from the
bluffs. and Why he hadn't attacked
me- vas a mystery. he went from
fIsh 70 fish. turning them over with
his paw. and time and again brush
Ing me With his tail as he moved
about. Ny rifle Was 10 feet away.
leaning against a bush. and might
have been idiot enough TO try 20
reach Il but for a warning. Ny per-
souaI servant had followed me TO
see what luck | had. He uttered the
call q bird TO attract my atteu-
ton and then sang out. DO moth
ing 20 provoke the tiger. master. lie
Il \ hiioweele. II you do not cross
him be viii 80 away"
He meant that the spirit Of a good
native had been transformed. and 10
vas clearly the common sense way
to follow his advice. As the beast
gave me no attention. turned 20
the fish Juggling AZ my line and
landed him. He was 81 good size
and fun Of vitality. and the tiger
waited In a playful way until I re-
moved the hook and threw the fish
on the grass. Then he sprang for
IL like a kitten would FOR a ball OF
yarn. and he played with II in the
same way. II was lnughable. in
spite Of the circumstances. 10 wit
ness his actions He would run
around IN circles. as you have seen
Il. -.
ieapIug over me. and then again he
would become the eat and creep
softly forward 20 pouuce upon one
Of the fish. Each one as caught
was flung to him. and II was a full
half hour before he was tired OF
the sport. | expected he would turn
to me sooner or later. but the native
saw the change Ia demeanOr first
and called.
Master. the hllowee II going TO
play with youi BE as clay In his
power
The tiger suddenly left the last
fish landed. and came stalking up to
me. purring Ike cat and acting
very playful. 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 aa n he had been a
favorite dog. / had on a big straw
hal. and this be got hold Of IN his
teeth. and played with for 10 min
ufes. or until he had torn II all 20
pieces. / had no more bait 70 fish
with. and drew in the line. and sat
there waiting for the tigers next
move.
When he had finished the hat he
came over and rubbed against me.
and purred 81 pleased way. and
rubbed him with my hand from nose
10 tail. | gradually got over my
scare. but was yet very anxious 20
know how the affair would end. The
sun was getting well up and very
hot. and the beast would soon be
seeking his lair. In about 30 min.
1fes the tiger began 70 show n
change III deameAnor. lie acted
nervous and uneasy ard the hair on
his back stood up NJ intervals. I
judged that ne had got the scent Of
my fkfvanf. and such proved 10 be
the case.
I dared not rise 10 my feet. but I
made up my mind that n the tiger
attacked me I should make a spring
off the bank and into the river. II