The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-04-01
HUNTING TIGERS In CHINA.
TROUBLES IN SECURING BEAT
Frs AND BAIT.

Expedition That Lacked Somewhat the
Dignity of Big Game ShoOting-Man-
eaters That Got Away-Why the One
That Was Killed Was Left ON the
Field.
Tiger shooting is, l believe, generally
regarded as serious wark, ana not d
picnic to be lightly entered on, 0ut
from the moment P. came round 10 my
compound TO say that four OF the
brutes had been located in the flkila
Jungle, some four miles from the settle
ment, to the morning of the last disas-
trous beat the gods appeared to DO
their best to make fun of the whole ex
petition and to rob US of that feeling
of dignity due TO those engaged III Dig
game shooting.
We camped in the old, tumble-doWn
building, half temple, half rest house,
that is common to most Chinese VIII
lagos, says HayIey Bell in London
Field. P. insisted on cooking the din
ner, also there was trouble about the
bait, so that it was half past nine and
pitch dark when we sailed forth to the
tree we had chosen for our watch. We
had decided on pig for bait, as he was
likely to make the most noise. The
grateful villagers whom we had come
out to rid of the blood-thirsty animals
that were devouring their cattle, re-
quired some three times its value be-
fore they would part with it, Too late
1--WE discovered the deceitfulncss of that
pig.
In the temple it had protested so
loudly as to drown all negotiations, but
when at last tied up on the field of ac-
ton it was the most contented pig
have ever known; and frantic pulls at
the string attached to his leg were ut
terly useless to stir him to sense OF
what was expected of him. At length,
bitten all over by mosquitoes and COW
cred with ants, tree frogs and that de-
| lightful beetle known to the Chinese as
the water buffalo," I climbed down
and charged out on the wretched ami
NAL and by the light of the rising moon
chased him round and round his tether
till his squeals and the shouts of laugh
ter from my copaniomn in the tree
might have been heard for miles.
Hardly had / regained the foot Of the
tree when P. gave a shout Of warning
and commenced firing rapidly over my
head. An instant later one short wall
from piggy announced that his duty
was done, and / turned in time to see
the tiger-a dark, formless mass--dis-
appear into the cover with six dollars
worth of pork belonging to us.
Early next morning the head man Of
the village was summoned. and after
much argument some twenty men were
produced to bsat the cover for us. We
started across the paddy like the
chorus of comic opera, with hoes,
pitchforks, executioners' swords and
halberds. One man preceded the party
with a huge gong which he smote lust
lily, to the great delight Of scores OF
4 children who We're enjoying holiday by
reason of our occupying the village
schoolroom, and the rear was brought
up by half a dozen kerosene tins and
the village flutist. 1t was as inlpossi-
BILE to keep them quiet till we should
reach the ground and take up positions
as it was to get them to stay there
when we had done so. Gradually and
imperceptibly the heaters-who com
menced by prodding gingerly at the ex-
IRENE edges of the jungle-melted
away, and P. and l concluded that
since beating was impossible we mus
watch over bait again.
This tie we wmere ensconced in our
tree long before sunset, with goat for
bait, Hardly had the moon risen wher
out stalked, at about one hundred
yards range, an enormous tiger, who
strolled nonchalantly across the glade
and disappeared into the opposite GOV
er. Again we pulled furiously at the
bait. Not a sound followed, and aftel
some hours wait we descended, to find
poor Nanny-whether of pure fright o,
because she was possibly in extremis
when purchased-was dead.
After a long whispered conversation
\ as to whether tigers took carrion oil
mot, we again trudged sadly home
Personally, incline to the opinion that
we did not talk and laugh enough, alst
that a cigar would have much i'm
proved our chances. Be that as 1t may
our third attempt was made from {
machan. P. and I built it next morn.
ing, and an interested audience o.
some fifty old women and children sa
round and commented. We followed
out large bush and built the plat.
form up inside; on the top we put {
cunning roof of plated leaves.
Derisive acquaintance who had neve
even seen a tiger running wild rode ou
from the settlement and asked if it was
a race meeting or a Punch and Judy
show. But we were satisfied; at leas
it was better than roosting in tree
with all manner Of nocturnal insects
and we made it very comfortable with
a mattress and cushions. Here we
watched over Piggy II. for three night.
without result. On the fourth we trick
to tempt the tiger with dog, which ap
parently, however, gnawed through it.
rope and escaped, the most serious par
1 of the incident being that neither my
companion nor / were awake at tn,
time.
Alas! that such a trivial inciden-
shuld cause even temporary estrange'
ment between two fast friends. Evei
if it was my watch, there were plenty
| more dogs to he had. hesidns, tho dol