Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-09

| Hn1tlS2g D8tdeT lIUbCutLteS.
IN the villages OF Che ZLyit -kyi-na district, IN
Upper Burma a stale almost of panic
prevailed Even III the towns and at the
bungalows of the Europeans repairs were
made to the usually neglected tiger
fences ana these considered too low or
not s,Toils enough were rebuilt, for the cause
OF all TIL a'arm Was tiger 1t was strange
that tiger should have caused this panic
81 district where tigers were common. but
this one had Established a reputation for
singular holiness and ferocity. 1t would come
leaping over the fence. and If 1t could not find
victim in the open would go into the houses
in search Of prey. Sometimes 1t was man,
sometimes woman sometimes child, but
matter who the victim might be- one and all
they seemed unable 10 shout for help or
to cry out after they had once~been seized by
the tiger.
Often he when leaving the village
with his victim and many and varied were the
descriptions given OF his appearance, but one
sind all were unanimous In agreeing that he
suas OF most colossal size, and in this respect
the footmarks he left behind him substantiated
the descriptions.
The government rs represented by the deputy
c0TEmissioner, offered special reward for the
beasts destruction increased it, doubled 1t and
kept increasing it again and again rs each
authentic killing was reported, but stin the
slaughter went regularly about every fourth
night and the killings were so widely separated
tirat in no place did the villagers feel secure.
In ting minds Of the natives the tiger became
endowed with miraculous powers and was
Greeited with being the rcinoaTnation of a
1amous-or rather infamous--Giacoit leader and
possessed OF the holiness and cunning of that
wicked scoundrel This theory gained weight
greatly after clerk employed by the deputy
commissioner wss taken from his camp.
-TH4S state of manic wns 1T it's laeigft svhen
Jack Armstrong, captain in the Central
India Horse seconded for Serxine with the
Burma Military Police, sat In q launch that
chugging its way down the river 10 the
.,police post at Ta-lawHgyi. where he had to
make an inspection. To while away the time
he was chatting to SAEalauch, the sernng OF the
launch, and the subject of their conversation
was the tiger Jack had spent the last three
months at the post On the Chinese frontier in
the heart OF the Katchin country, whexe no
tiger allowed to cause trouble, the hardy
little Katchins chasing and spearing any tiger
that attempted 10 interfere with them their
cattle. SO he woefully out Of date as
EegAeds the more recent exploits OF the man
killer
when did the tiger kill last and where?"
he asked turning to the serang, who was SQUAT
etag cross legged on the stern.
Sayalaach locked round uneasily, as If he
feared the tiger would suddenly pop ND cat Of
else water beside them. and answered in q sub
Nsed whisper "Takin fxir) do not speak his
iname. He comes when least expected and is
gone In fash, leaving mark behind him
execpt the sorFow IN the hearts of the victims
fansiIy. I am old and skinny. yet even fear
lest 1be chosen for his next victim"
'Haye yen ever seen the tiger" asked Jack
-No"
do you know any one who has?"
"Haaung Pho him when he killed at
AG0gaung IL days ago" replied the serang
pointing to orc OF the laanchs crew idltng in
the how
Call him herei" ordered Hack and Maung
Pfso came In response to the seEmng's call and
sauatsed in front of them.
''EIave you see the tiger" asked Jack.
~Res. Takin" replied tine boatman. 1T was
twO weeks ago when he killed Mt Mo-Gaung"
What did it look lke?" asked Jack, the
Burman hesitated, afraid lest he had said too
much.
sic is very big and his coat shines, Cor he has
eane from the moon" replied Maung Pho pro-
pounding one OF the many wild theories that
fumet had around the personality and
ewpiolss of the tiger. HE leapt over the
a&snce though it was a high one. landing with
cut making a sound. My cousin. lNaung sun
was sleeping IN his house. with his wife lying
on the mat close beside him, but though the
tiger had to tear hole in the wall OF mating
they were not awakened until it had GENE into
the room Maung Sun awoke with q feeling
shat something was wrong and looking up, saw
atle tiger. framed in the gap torn in the wall
'sHis dah lay close by his hand but ne was
unable TO grasp It for he could not move ne
declares he was bewitched. He lay there like
oae dead while the tiger stslked UP to where
1ls wife lying. seized her and disappeared
from the hut. Then something snapped in
nAAang SUMS brain and. seizing his cah, ne
SansAaed sitter the scast with . shout OF fury