Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-15
INDIAN TIGER HUNT.
An Exciting Adventure Told by One
Who Participated in It.

Ilc
There is no subject connected with Indian
sport which has given rise to greater con-
troversy than the size of tigers; but. IN spite
OF all statements to the contrary, it is now
practically an admitted fact, based on the
long experience of trustworthy Anglo-In-
dian sportsmen, that Indian tigers, whe her
shot IN Bengal Madras or Bombay, have
seldom exceeded ten feet in length when
stretched to their fullest extent, immediate
~ after death, and measured carefully from
tip of nose to end of tall, all curves in
Guided. However. every rule has its excep-
tcns. and the tiger which forms the sub
ject of this tale was certainly one of 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 Gopal-
gairi of the existence of an enormous tiger,
which was said to have taken up his abode
III a large government reserve forest, some
twenty miles from the civil station. to prey
the cattle of the villa gers residing in the
immediate vicinity of the forest. After Civ
ing details to the organization of the
expedition, and the discovery of the tiger,
the writer adds In crossing a patch of open
Mr.. Watson. the district officer who 4 prob
ably the safest rifle shot in Bengal. aiming
full length ahead and on the ground line,
fired. rolling the animal over in his tracks.
It was beautiful SHOT yet so fast was the
tiger going that, even with the allowance
made the bullet, as subsequently dis
covered. struck well behind the ribs. Pick
ing himself up at once. the tiger stumbled
on. and. gaining thick bit of wild plum
Jungle, disappeared into It
The struggle had continued for about an
hour, and there seemed no immediate
prospect of surrender on the tigers part,
nor any likelihood of his succumbing to his
injuries, II was determined to attack him
IN his stronghold with the howdah ele-
phants--a fairly per!lous undertaking con-
sidering the state of his temper and the
position he, occupied. But matters were get
ting serious and the sun uupleasantly warm.
The-frowdah elephants and two St3nch tuSk-
ers were accordingly formed into line. and
advanced cautiously into the cover. No
sooner had they entered than they were
greeted by a roar appalling in its feroc-
fly that the three elephants carrying the
forest officer and the planters turned tail
and fed iucontinenuy, nor. IN spite OF all
threats and inducements could they be per-
suaded TO return to the attack Watson ana
the two tuSkers were accordingly left TO
carry on tie fight as best they might
Several attempts were made to force q
charge, but without success. Finally one OF
the tuskers. an exceptionally stanch ana
powerful animal. was pressed slowly for
ward till nothing but a few leafy branches
lay between It and the tiger. Then. with an
Indifference almost Incredible under the cir
cumstanCes. II seized and gently pushed
aside the branches with its trunk. till
patch OF black and yellow stripe was eS-
posed 10 view. Watson, who had been di-
reftfnE this very dangerous operation.
quickly seized his opportunity and seeing
that the tiger still refused to charge, fired
a charge of No. into the patch. hoping this
might affect a change in the tigers position,
and thus allow OF more certain shot.
The effect was instantaneous, but scarcely
in accordance with the wishes or eXpecta-
tions OF the sportsman who had scarcely
time to change his shotgun for the rife
when, with a mighty bound. the tiger
spranx fairly on the elephants head.
End holding on with teeth and claws,
remained clinging there. Fortunately
hr1. old
OF this unweIcome addition TO his load,
stood like a rock, enabling Watson to take
a steady aim al the snarling brute, now III
orally face to face with him The binding
nash and smoke that followed INSTRUCTED
his vision for a while, but as the last
cleared Of he could see the tiger stretched
out below him Kasping away the life he had
so stubornly defended to the end. Lying
there extended TO It's fullest length, he was
a sight TO fil any sportsman's heart with
10Y and Watson, who had shot many
tiger In his time-in fact could count them
by the score-gazed with wonder and de-
light ct the huge proportions OF the beast
The measuring of tiger Is always
an exciting moment. even when the animal
appears TO be of ordinary dimensions Inn
aeine then. the excitement created by TINS
Tconster. so obviously giant OF his tribe.
Aud such in fact. lie proved TO DE, TOT
when the measurements were completed.
the following were the figures recorded by
The tape: Length from tip OF nose to root
Of tail feet; length OF tail. feet inches;
fotai length from tip of nose 10 end OF tau,
% feet inches; height at shoulder. feet
inches; girth. feet So inches; upper arm,
\ feet inch; forearm. foot IA Inches.