The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-01-25
INDIAN TIGER HUNT.
An Exciting Adventure Told by One
Who Participated in II.

riOEl III rleIu.
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 now practically
an admitted fact, based on the long
experience OF trustworthy Anglo
Indian sportsmen, that Indian tigers,
whether shot in Bengal, Madras or
Bombay, have seldom exceeded ten
feet In length when stretched to their
FULLEST extent, Immediately after death,
n measured carefully from tip of
nose to end Of tail, all curves included.
However, every rule has its exceptions,
n the tiger which forms the sub
5ect 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 dis
trict authorities Of Gopalgairi of the
existence OF an enormous tiger, which
was said to have taken up his bod
In a large government reserve forest
some twenty miles from the civil sta
ton. to prey O the cattle Of the viii
layers residing In h immediate vi
cinity of the forest. After giving de-
tails as to the organization of the ex-
petition. and the discovery Of the I'll
ger. the writer adds: In crossing a
patch OF ope Mr.. Watson, the district
officer, who Is probably the safest rifle
shot In Bengal, aiming q full length
ahead and On the ground line, fired.
rolling the animal over in his tracks.
1t was a beautiful shot, yet so fast
was the tiger going that, even with
n allowance made, the bullet, a. VIZ
subsequently discovered, struck well
behind the ribs. Picking himself up
at once. the tiger stumbled on, and,
gaining a thick bit Of wild plum jungle,
disappeared into it.
The struggle had continued for about
en- hour, and as there seemed no i'm
mediate prospect Of surrender on the
tigers part, nor any likelihood of his
succumbing to his injuries, 1t was de-
termined to attack him in his strong
hold with the howdah Elephants
fairly perilous undertaking considering
the state Of his temper and the posi-
ton he occupied. But matters were
getting serious, n the sun unpleas-
antly warm. The howdah elephants
and two stanch tuskers were accord
ingly formed into line, and advanced
cautiously n the cover. No sooner
had they entered than they were greet
ed by a roar so appalling in it's feroc-
ity that the three elephants carrying
turned tail and fled incontinently, nor,
in spite of all threats n induce
ments. could they be persuaded to re-
! turn to the attack. Watson and the
two tuskers were accordingly left to
carry on the fight as best they might,
Several attempts were made
to force a charge, but without success.
tionally stanch n powerful animal,
was pressed slowly forward till moth
! ing but a few leafy branches lay be-
tween it and the tiger. Then, with an
Indifference almost incredible under
the circumstances, 1T seized n gently
pushed aside the branches with Its
trunk, till a patch of black and yellow
stripe was exposed to view. Watson,
who had been directing this very dan
gerous operation, quickly seized his
opportunity, and, seeing that the tiger
still refused to charge, fired a charge
Of No. 6 into the patch, hoping this
might effect a change in the tigers po-
sition, and thus allow of a more GER
tain shot.
The effect was instantaneous, but
scarcely In accordance with the wishes
or expectations of the sportsman, who
bad scarcely time to change his shot
gun for the rife when, with a mighty
bound, the tiger sprang fairly on the
elephants head, and, holding on with
teeth and claws, remained clinging
there. Fortunately the brave old ele-
plant, in spite of his unwelcome adj
dition to his load, toe like a rock,
enabling Watson 10 take a steady aim
at the Snarling brute, now literally
face to face with him. The binding
flash 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 gasp
ing away the life he had so stubborn
ly defended to the end. Lying there
extended to it's fullest length, he was
a sight to fill any sportsman's heart
with joy, and Watson, who had shot
many a tiger in his time-in fact,
could count them by the score-gazed
with wonder and delight at the huge
proportions OF the beast. . The
measuring Of a tiger is always an eX-
citing moment even when the animal
appears to be of ordinary dimensions.
Imagine, then, the excitement created
by this monster, so obviously a giant
of his tribe. And such, in fact, he
proved to be, for when the measure
ments were completed the following
were the figures recorded by the tape:
Length from tip of nose to root Of tail,
{ feet; length Of tail, 3 feet inches;
total length from tip of nose to end OF
tail, 10 feet 7 inches; height at Shout
der, 3 feet 4 inches; girth, 4 feet 8k
inches; upper arm, 2 feet 1 inch; fore
arm, 1 foot 7k inches.