Evening star., 1926-04-11

In all, there were some 80 persons,
men and women, boys and girls. and
saw to 1t that they all were kept
busy.
Like most of the favorite haunts Of
the tiger. the vicinity consisted OF
grassy plains and jungle swamps, the
color Of the land harmoniZing most de-
ceptively with the color Of the tiger,
making the work Of the scouts a ma
turally hazardous one. This particu-
lar animal had for weeks been feeding
on the cattle and pigs, and three days
before the episode Of the preceding
morning 1t had killed boy OF IA.
This happened within the precincts
Of the village. Evidently on the out
look for human prey, 1t had taken a
sudden spring under the gaze OF the
frightened bystanders. and had
dragged the boy away into the jungle.
The natives declared that 1t had GER
tainly glutted its taste for blood be-
yond the limits of hunger, and they
knew that IL 1t was not captured that
day 1t would seriously endanger the
lives of all Of the villagers. Inspired
now by nv presence, however, and
knowing that the tiger Is as cowardly
as he Is cunning-for tiger viii often
flee before an armed man-they all
settled down to run him to earth.
y n n
Al hour passed, two hours passed,
"A and nothing was reported. Then
two Of the men came hurrying back to
inform me that the animal had been
stalked. and could easily have been
slaughtered. but that, as l had so in
structed them, they were doing their
best to drive 1t toward the bridge
head.
"Great heavens" thought. this is
a fine kettle OF fish" 1 lost no time
in vigorously resembling my previous
command informing these men that,
should the villagers be able TO destroy
the brute in a manner entailing no
risk of human life, then 1t was my
wish that they do so, and ] would duly
inspec> the carcass.
But IT," I added, slowly, and in a
tone which indicated my understand
ing that to ordinary beings like them
selves capturing a tiger was some
iob," but that to me. with my super
natural powers, 1t was a mere oaga-
telle-"but IL there should be the
slightest danger, merely carry out my
former orders, and drive the animal
toward me-
They gave me a look of devotion
that they might veritably have
offered to a god. and, exchanging elo-
quent glances with the two men act
ing as my bodyguard. they silently
left the presence. inspired beyond
measure with my steadily maintained
attitude of unabating courage.
"A brave man. Brothers, brave
manr they said, in final salutation
to their friends, who heartily con-
Cured in their proud sentiments. But
what did feel, likely to meet an In
furiated tiger at any moment now?
1t was along about noon when l
received the first indisputable evt-
dence that the tiger was really on
the prowl. At first heard peculiar
low whooping in the distance. 1t was
the sound of many human voices,
drolling out rhythmically a low gut
tural sound like the dull droning of
q gigantic bee. Gradually 1t grew
louder, and louder still.
I knew that tigers are usually
afraid of the human voice, and
plucked up some courage. I then
heard the loud bleating of tethered
goat some forty yards away. Then
I heard mems voices again, and my
bodyguard, hearing what the men
were shouting, came nearer to me.
One said, in intense excitement:
"Ah. Great Teacher, here they