The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-14

Weiton remembered that he had left
his revolver on his dressing stand. 1t
could not be much Of q fight With all
the Nds on the 9th n side. At any
rate, when the tiger had borne hin
away 10 his lair Akerslle. the coward
Suddenly there was terrific roar. a
sitting odor Of fur. Welton's hand In
stlDctiyely few 10 his pocket. and TO
his surprise the revolver was there.
There was sharp crack at one OF the
yellow spots Of light and rush Of air
as the beast sprang toward him. He
dropped to the floor. and with tre-
mendous thud the animal struck the
closed shutters and bounded back with
bloodcurdiing scream Of baffied rage
and pain.
Welton had leaped over the railing
and slipped behind the protecting trunk
OF a giant teak. The animal snuffed
about the yeranda, and presently there
was cry OF startled fright. and Well
ton remembered the sleeping punka
boy. He saw the tiger stepping down
the path. his jaws gripping dark.
moaning bundle.
He knew that. unmolested. the beast
would now retire to the jungle with
his victim and that the occupants Of
the bungalow as well as himself would
be free from danger. He ground bis
teeth and aimed for the other eye. He
put II out.
In the light Of the stars he saw the
beast shiyer. drop the dark bundle,
which sped affrlghtedly away, and
then come toward him with bleeding.
blinded eyes and snarling mouth.
II was only a question Of time now.
Around the tree be lodged. and then
farther away from the house toward
the stockade. He would lure the beast
from the vicinity Of the bungalow and
fight 1t out with him in the open space
before the jungle, which rose dark
and forbidding in the background. One
would win out, and the other
Again he heard the crack Of his re-
volver, and yet again. and still the
beast did not fall Still he tracked
the man blindly. remorselessly. There
were two cartridges left in the cham
Der, and then-again Welton fred,
once, twice. With shudder. he felt
something soft on his cheek,
by Joye. Billy seems bit sleepy!
Wake up and hear the news, old man"
Welton recognized the facetious tone
of Akerslie, his faithless friend He
opened his eyes slowly. wonderfully.
Overhead the great stars were hang
ing in the dark blue sky, and there
was a rank odor Of rotting vegetation
from the nearby jungle
He was reclining In the bamboo
chair, and Marion stood behind him
with her soft hand upon his rumpled
hair. There was a glow Of lamplight
from the open window of the drawing
room, and in the opposite direction he
could see that the gate of the COM
pound was closed.
"The-man eater" he asked dazedly,
moving his cramped limbs.
what made you think OF that?"
asked Akerslie ruefully. II was just
going to spring it on you! Chuni-the
brave, the incompatible Chuni-has
slain the man eater just without the
stockade! Lookm
Welton rose stiffly to his feet and
looked sheepishly at the flaming
torches and the crowd of brown skin
ned natives who were triumphantly
dragging the huge carcass through the
gateway. Chuni, proud and victorious,
salaamed before his master, For
the honorable sahib," he said solemn
ly.
A little later Marion bade her lover
good night, What do you think,
Billy?" she murmured softly, with a
side glance at the stalwart form of
Akerslle. "Major Akerslie has been
telling me about his engagement to
Marjorie Booth--a dear schoolmate of
mine-and I'm afraid we were SO
much interested in talking about her
that we forgot you! Were you really
asleep, Billy?'
''I hope so.' said Billy impressiyely.