Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-07-06
Catching A Tiger.

Orientals show the greatest ingenuity
in the methods they adopt in the capture
OF wild beasts. Nothing affords the ma
tives OF the Malay Peninsula so much
sport as catching tiger. One was taken
in pit dug in Chiuaman's garden; and
il is interesting to learn of the clever
fashion in which they got the beast out OF
the pit.
This pit was circular in shape, eleven
feet deep and three feet in diameter al
the top. 1t was slightly smaller at the
bottom. II was in sandy clay, and as
the sides were clean-cut, the tiger could
not scramble out. The pit was situated
on the margin of a Jungle, and il had
been contrived, not to capture tigers, but
wild hogs. II was covered with a thin
roof OF sticks, grass aud leaves.
As soon as the owner of the pit be-
came aware OF the nature OF his prize ne
covered the mouth OF the pit with strong
planks. Then he looked about for pur-
chaser, who was soon found. The mon
ey was paid over while the beast lay at
the bottom of The pit. The sum agreed
upon was e25, but il cost $50 TO remove,
cage, and convey the animal TO Singa-
pore.
For six days the captive was allowed
10 lie in the Dit he was fed very spar
ingIy, in order 10 reduce his strength and
energy. Six Malays with thorough
knowledge OF the ways OF wild beasts
were engaged to cage him.
Their first step was to rig a strong beam
at height of about nine feet over the
pit; the beam was supported on well-se-
cured uprights, TO which il was strongly
lashed with withes. Next, the men pre-
pared two cylindrical baskets OF green
rattan. One basket was two feet in dia-
meter and eight in length the other was
just large enough 10 be passed into the
larger one, in order TO give additional
strength to the contrivance. One end
OF each basket was open, and the other
was closed, except fer hole about three
inches in diameter.
The smaller basket having been jam
med into the larger one, the two were
firmly laced together throughout with
withes.
Finally, two new hempen ropes nearly
three inches in circumference were pre-
pared with running nooses. AS soon as
the MaIays had cut few long poles and
prepared them. with forks on some and
pieces OF wood lashed on others TO form
hooks. they were ready for the tiger.
They separated the planks that cover
ed the mouth of the pit so that they could
pass down the ropes and poles. The
moose OF one OF the ropes was lowered,
and in spite OF the tigers resistance, the
men, by skill and patience, got the moose
over his head and around his neck. AS
soon as the moose was in position II was
drawn fairly tight. The other rope was
then passed down and secured in SINH
lar manner. The operation OF placing
the two nooses around the neck Of the
captive occupied twenty-five minutes.
The ends Of the ropes were then pass
ed through the cylindrical baskets. The
baskets were placed mouth downward
over the pit, and when all was ready
they began TO haul up on tie ropes. The
tiger was drawn up headforemost into
the basket, which was just large enough
to receive him. AS soon as he was
well within the basket, the Malays drew
up the whole contrivance, laid il on its
side, and laced up The mouth Of The bas-
ket, so that only the tigers tail protruded.
When all was fast the nooses were
sIackened in order that The tiger might
breathe more freely. The basket was
then slung on pole and borne 10 the
cage that was in readiness 10 receive the
CaDtive.