Casco Bay breeze. [volume] (South Harpswell, Me.) 1901-1917, 1906-08-09
BENGAL TIGER SHOOTING.

AueEe Is no SUBJECT connected VIII
Indian sport which has given rise to
greater controversy than the size of
tigers; but, in spite Of all statements
TO the contrary. 1t is now practically
an admitted fact, based on the long
experience Of Trustworthy Anglo-In-
dian sportsmen, that Indian tigers,
whether shot in Bengal, Madras or
Bombay, have seldom exceeded ten
feet in length when stretched to their
fullest extent, Immediately after
death. and measured carefully from
tip OF nose to cad of tail, all curves
included. However, every rule has
its exceptions, and the tiger which
forms the subject Of this tale was
certainly one of them.
A writer in the London Field
points out that for some months
previous to the expedition, which
ended In the destruction of this
monster, rumors had reached the
district authorities of Gopalgairi of
| the existence Of an enormous tiger,
which was said to have taken up
his abode in large government re-
serve forest, some twenty miles from
the civil station, to prey on the cat
tie Of the villagers residing in the
immediate vicinity of the forest.
After giving details as to the organi-
zation Of the expedition and the dis
covery Of the tiger, the writer adds:
In crossing a patch OF open, Mr..
Watson, the district officer, who is
probably the safest rife shot in Ben
gal, aiming full length ahead and
on the ground line, fired, rolling the
animal over in his tracks.
1t was beautiful shot, yet so fast
was the tiger going that, even with
the allowance made. the bullet, as
We subsequently discovered. struck
we'll behind the ribs. Picking him
self up at once, the tiger stumbled
on, and, gaining a thick bit of wild
plum jungle, disappeared into it.
The struggle had continued for
about an hour, and as there seemed
no immediate prospect Of surrender
on the tigers part, nor any likeli-
hood Of his succumbing to his in
juries, 1t was determined to attack
him in his stronghold with the how
dab elephants fairly perilous
undertaking, considering the state Of
his temper and the position he occu-
pied. Matters were getting serious
and the sun unpleasantly warm. The
howdah elephants and two staunch
tuskers were accordingly formed into
line, and advanced cautiously into
the cover. No sooner had they en-
tered than they were greeted by a
roar so appalling in its ferocity that
the taree elephants carrying the for
est officer and the planters turned
tail and fed incontineltly, nor in
spite Of all threats and inducements
could they be persuaded to return
to the attack. Watson and the two
tuskers were left to carry on the
fight as best they might.
Several attempts were made to
force a charge. but without success.
Finally one of the tuskers, an ex-
ceedinsly stanch and powerful ami
NAL, was pressed slowly forward till
nothing but a few leafy branches lay
between it and the tiger. Then with
an Indifference almost incredible
under the circumstances II seized and
gently pushed aside the branches
with its trunk till a patch OF black
and yellow stripe was exposed to
view. Watson, who had been direct
Ing this very Dangerous operation,
quickly seized his opportunity and,
seeing that the tige- still refused
to charge, fired charge of No. G
Into the patch, hoping this might
affect a change in the tigers posi-
ton and thus allow OF a more GER
tain shot.
The effect was instantaneous. but
scarcely in accordance With the
wishes or expectations OF the sports
man, who had scarcely time to
change his shotgun for the rife when
with a mighty bound the tiger sprang
fairly at the elephants head and.
/ holding on with teeth and claws.
remained clinging there. Fortu-
nately the brave old elephant. in
spite OF this unwelcome addition to
his load, stood like a rock, enabling
watson to take a steady aim at the
snarling brute, now literally face to
race with him. The binding flash
and smoke that followed obstructed
MS vision for while, but as Il
cleared on he could see the tiger
stretched out below him, gasping
awaJ the life he had SO stubbornIy
defended to the end.
Lying there extended to his fullest
length. he was a sight to All any
sportsman's heart with Joy, and Wat
son. who had shot many a tiger in
MS time-in fact. could count them
by the score-gazed with wonder
and delight at the huge proportions
OF the beast.
The measuring OF tiger is always
an exciting moment, even when the
animal appears to be of ordinary d.
mensions. Imagine then the excite
ment created by this monster. 40
obviously a giant OF his tribe. Aad
such In fact he proved TO be. for
wnen the measurements were COM
pleted the following were the figures
recorded by the tane. Inr~.h -