The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-01-12
A Tigers Choice

Of Bengal, had gone TO tho jungles OIL q
tiger hunt. The accident that befcll
three Of them ON the second day was
curious one. The four were making
their way up the dry bed Of Il nullah,
or ravine, when a tree growing on Il
high bank suddenly caved into the ra-
vine, catching and breaking bones for
three of them. The officers were at
tended by fifty servants and beaters,
and litters were soon constructed and
they were borne back to camp.
On tho third day after the accident
word was brought in that large tiger
had visited village four miles away
the night previously and carried away
woman. The fourth officer Of the
party, who was a lieutenant, had, OF
course. given his services to his CON-
rades, but when news of the tiger
came they insisted that he make an
attempt to kill tho bS.st. 1t was be.
licved that the feline would pay the
village 4 second visit, and the officer
would have to pass the night In n hut
to be ready for him. He protested, but
was ovcrruled, and an hour before dark
set Off with his guns and guides. The
Injured officers by 10 o'clock were all
asleep, and an hour later the attendant
also slumbered.
The major had slept for three hours
when his thirst awokc him. His ham
mock was swung very close to the
ground and his head and shoulders so
elevated that he could sec all around
him. He saw that the servant was
asleep and heSitatcd to call to him for
fear Of awakening his brother officers.
He had been awake about ten minutes
when great tiger suddenly appeared
close beside the sleeping native. The
DclSt must have made it's way over the
clear and open ground from the jungle,
and as there was no air stirring the
horses had not scented him. He was
n male tiger in his prime, and that he
had come for q victim could not be
doubted. He must have been surprised
that no better watch was kept. Had
the servant been awake he would have
been seized and carried Off.
but his being asleep puzzled the tiger.
The beast shifted and snufrcd for mo-
ment and then turned to the ham,
mocks. He visited the captains before
he came to the major. He purrcd like
n cat as he stood with his nose within
six inches of their faces, and it Is n
thing hard to believe, but nevertheless
true, that his purrng awolic each in
turn. Neither OF the men moved so
much as an cyelash while under the
scrutiny Of the beast. They were men
many dangers nau n;fi u1neu ;.....
nerves. L.
When the tiger left Captain Burton
to purr In the ears Of Captain Brooics,
the former opened his eyes and watch
cd his further movements. For what
seemed five minutes the terror OF the
jungle stared into the face of the sleep
ing man, thrusting out his furrcd
tongue Mt intervals and licking at the
splints and bandages Of the broken
arm. Fortunately there was no blood
to excite his appetite. Then came the
majors turn. He knew 1t would come
and had prepared for 1t, but lie after
ward said that it was the ordeal Of his
life. The skin of his leg had been
broken and bled freely when he re-
ccived the greater hurt, but luckily for
with an antiseptic very disagrceabie
to the tiger. The beast shifted and
licked and then fell back with q growl
OF displeasure.
For two or three minutes he stood
staring at the horses and the tents ot
the natives and seemed inclined to pay
them visit, but why so to that trouble
when he had four victims under his
nose? 1t was such Il good thing that he
was troubled which to select. He in
spected each of them in turn again
the native servants helped him to de-
eide the problem. The man awakened
and came out Of his tent to see If the
horses were all right. He had no idea
Of danger. but stood and yawned and
stretched.
Probably reasoning that an alarm
would be given in a moment, the tiger
whirled and seized the servant by the
right arm close to the shoulder and
whirled the burden over his back aud
galloped off to the jungle, and in his
surprise and terror the man made no
outcry until half the space had been
covered. Then the tiger uttered a roar
of defiance and increased his pace. The
camp was at once alarmed, and great
was the surprise Of the officers to find
that all had been awake and watching
Some of the servants fired off guns
and ran to the edge Of the jungle with
blazing brands, but. Of course, the tiger
held to his prey.
Early I'm the morning the lieutenant
appeared. He had passed the night in
the village. but no tiger had appeared
He at once took up the trail Of this one.
having a dozen native dogs to- assist
him. The beast and his burden had
passed through strip Of jungle about