The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1906-01-04
A Tigers Choice

Sixth infantry, stationed in the province
Of Bengal, had gone TO the jungles on .
tiger hunt. The accident that betell
three OF them on the second day was
curious one. The four we're making
their way up the dry bed of a nullah,
or ravine, when a tree growing on a
high bank suddenly caved into the ra.
vine, catching and breaking bones foi
three of them. The officers were at
tended by Bfty servants and heaters,
and filters were soon constructed and
they were borne back to camp.
On the third day after the accident
word was brought in that large tiger
had visited a village four miles awny
the night previously and carried away
woman. The fourth officer Of the
party, who was lieutenant, had, OF
course. given his services 10 his com.
radeS. but when news Of the tiger
came they insisted that he make an
attempt to kill the beast. 1t was be,
lleved that the feline would pay the
village n second visit, and the officer
would have to pass the night in hui
to be ready for him. He protested, bur
was Overruled, and an hour before dark
set off With his guns and guides. The
injured officers by 10 o'clock were all
asleep, aud an hour later the attendant
also slumbered.
The major had slept for three hours
when his thirst awoke 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. R4 saw that the servant was
asleep and hesltated to call to him for
fear of awakening his brother officers.
He had been awake about ten minutes
when a great tiger suddenly appeared
close beside the sleeping native The
beast 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
male tiger in his prime. and that he
had come for victim could not be
doubted. He must have been surprised
that no better watch was kept. Had
the servant been awake he would have
instantly been seized and carried OF
but his being asleep puzzled the tiger,
The beast shifted and snuffed for mo.
ment and then turned to the ham
mocks. He visited the captains before
he came to the major, He purred like
cat as lie stood with his nose within
six inches Of their faces, and 1t is a
thing hard TO believe, but nevertheless
true. that his purrlng awoke each In
turn. Neither Of the men moved Sc
much as an eyelash while under tbs
scrutiny OF the beast. They were mer
Tho had hunted the jungle before, and
many dangers had hardened theil
n,rves.
When the tiger left Captain Burtor
sN,'e,>ss>IN. tbG ,aNE4 afsC ;eS,&taiR. ,Erpokes
cd his further movements. For what
seemed Ave minutes tile terror Of thu
jungle stared into the face Of the sleep
ing man, tllrnsting out his furred
tongue at intervals and licking at the
spllnts and banduges Of the broken
arm. Fortunately there was no blood
to excite his appetite. Then came the
majors turn. He knew it would come
and had prepared for 1t, but lie after.
ward said that 1t was the ordeal of his
life. The skin OF his leg had been
broken and bled freely when be re.
ceived the greater hurt, but luckily for
him the surgeon had treated the hurt
with an antiseptic very disagreeable
10 the tiger. The beast shifted and
licked and then fell back with growl
Of dlspleasure.
For two or three minutes he stood
staring at the horses and the tents OF
the natives and seemed inclined to pay
them visit, but why go to that trouble
when he had four victims under his
nose! II was such a good thing that ha
was troubled which to select. He in.
spected each of them In turn again
and was still undecided, when one OF
the native servants helped him to de,
eide the problem. The man awakened
aud came out Of his tent TO see IL tho
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 moment, the tiger
whirled and seized the servant by the
right arm close TO the shoulder and
whirled the burden over his back and
galloped Off to the jungle, and in his
surprise and terror the man made no
cutlery until half the space had been
covered Then the tiger uttered n roaf
OF defiance and increased his pace. The
camp was at once alarmed, and great
was the surprise Of the officers to fine
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 in 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 dozen native dogs to assist
him The beast and his burden had
passed through strip OF Jungle about |
forty rods wide and then reached rough |
and open ground All the way through |
the jungle the man had caught the
bushes with his hands to detain the
Ainnt. h,,4 lnl nl...n.. -.