New-York tribune., 1906-07-01
INDIAN TIGER HUNT.
An Erciting AdUenture Told By One
Who Participated an 1t.

There is no subject connected with Indian sport
which has given rise to greater controversy than
the size of tigers; but. in spite of all statements
to the contrary, it is practically an ad-
mitted fact, based the long experience of
trustworthy Anglo Indian spOrtsmen that Ind
ian tigers, whether shot in Bengal Madras or
Bombay. have seldom exceeded ten feet in length
when stretched to their fullest extent, imme-
diately after death, and measured carefully from
UP OF nose 10 END or tail, all curves included
However, every rule has its exceptions, and the
tiger which forms the subject of this tale was
certainly one or them The writer 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 a large government reserve forest, some TWEEN
ty miles from the civil station to prey on the
cattle of the villagers residing in the immediate
vicinity of the forest. After giving details as to
the organization of the expedition. ana the dis
cOVery OF the tiger, the writer adds; In crossing
patch of open, Mr. Watson, the district officer
who is probably the safest rife shot in Bengal
aiming full length ahead and on the ground
line fired rolling the animal over in his tracks
1t a beautiful shot, yet fast was the
tiger going that. even with the allowance made
well behind the ribs Picking himself up at
once. the tiger stumbled on. and, gaining thick
bit of wild plum jungle, disappeared into it.
A DANGEROUS OPERATION.
The struggle had continued for about an hour
and as there seemed no immediate prospect Of
surrender on the tigers part. any likelihood
OF his succumbing to his injuries it was deter
mined to attack him in his stronghold with the
hOwdah eephants-a fairly perllOus undertaking,
considering the state of his temper and the pO-
sition he occupied But matters We're getting
serious and the sun unpleasantly warm. The
howdah elephants and two stanch tUskers were
accordingly formed into line and advanced eau
tiousIy into the cover No sooner had they en-
tered than they were greeted by a roar ap-
palling in it's ferOcity that the three elephants
carrying the forest officer and the planters
turned tail and fed incontinently, nor, in spite
of all threats and inducements. could they be
persuaded to return to the attack. Watson and
the two tuskers were accordingly left to carry on
the fight best they might. Several at
tempts were made to force charge, but without
success. Finally one of the tuSkerS. an eXcep-
tionally stanch and powerful animal, was
pressed slowly forward. till nothing but a few
leafy branches lay between 1t and the tiger
Then with an Indifference almost incredible un-
der the circumstances, It seized and gently
pushed aside the branches with its trunk. till
patch of black and yellow stripe was exposed to
view Watson who had been directing TINS very
dangerous operation, quickly seized his oppOr-
tuntty and seeing that the tiger still refused TO
charge, fired a charge Of No 6 into the patch.
hoping this might effect change in the tigers
position, and thus allow Of a more certain shot
MEASUREMENT OF THE ANIMAL
The effect was instantaneous. but scarcely
IN accordance with the wishes or expectations
Of the sportsman. who had scarcely time 20
change his shotgun for the rife when, with
mighty bound. the tiger sprang fairly on 70 the
elephants head, and, holding on with teeth and
claws, remained clinging there. Fortunately the
brave old elephant. I'm spite OF this unWelcOme
Watson to take a steady aim at the snarling
brute, now literally face to face with him. The
binding fash and smoke that followed OBJ
structed his vision for a while. but as the last
cleared off he could see the tiger stretched out
below him, gaspng away the life he had so stub-
bornly defended 70 the end. Lying there. ex-