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

II heard Maung Suns shout and reached the
door of my hut just the tiger passed. My
cousins wife lay on her back across its body
with her right arm in its mouth Her eyes
we're open, but she appeared dazed, for she did
not struggle or call out. / rushed at the tiger
waving my dab and shouting, hoping that he
would abandon his victim, but, avoiding my rush.
he sprang over the fence and disappeared IN
the jungle. BY that time Maung Suns shouts
had reused the whole village and a thorough
search with aid of torches showed only the
hole in Maung Suns hut and the pug marks
OF the tiger. which larger than any
have seen"
THIS sounded a very tall story to Jack but
he was convinced from the mans demeanor
that he was saying what he believed to be the
truth Moreover. it was very similar to other
stories that he heard of the tigers exploits.
Were no further efforts made to rescue the
unfortunate woman" he asked
AS seen as it was light all the men of the
village banded together and followed the
tracks but we lost them in a Hooded lowin, and
though we searched the forest for miles in every
direction no trace of her body was ever found
Some say that he took the woman because he
wanted her for q vile" replied Maung Pho
again plnnging into superstitouS rumors.
The police post at Ta-law-gyi now came into
sight rs the launch rounded a bend in the
river So knowing that he would not be able
to make the men tell him anything more about
as they came toward the landing place. His
inspection was finished by O'Clock in the
afternoon. for everything at the post was found
to be in apple-pie order and the men well-ds-
ctpiined and contented Evidently Ktshon
Singh, the Sikh Jemedar In command OF the
post was an able and Trustworthy offoer.
/. Il shall stop here for the night, Jemedar
Sahib" said he, when he had praised the
sturdy old soldier for the satisfactory state OF
his command
.An,,
gested the Jemedar, inwarcly, praying that
his offer would not be accepted
mo, thank you, Je Eedar Sahib I'll sleep on
the launch I suppose there Is no chance that,
the tiger On whose head there is such big
reward. will come here tonight" said he.
laughing.
THE ssutry would be very glad II he would
honor US with Q visit replied the Jemetar,
entering into tine joke, but ] fear II he has
hall the magic powers with which he is credited
he win h9ve sense enough TO avoid place
where armed men are watch"
who kn0ws?" sNid Jack, pretending TO be
very serious. III hear any commotion during
the night shall come shore with the hope
OF earning the reward"
Dinner over Jack sat deck smoking
cheeruts and enjoying the view over the swollen
river as the mO0ubeanae lit the edges of the
numerous swirling 'eddies each OF which seemed
to be the home OF some Imprisoned spirit.
islixht mist .cl0uded the bauks of the stream
where the forest grew down to the very brink
of the water white the mnrmur of the flood
seemed to voice tkse impatience OF the rivers
soul. The roofs OF the huts that sheltered the
small garrison of the post were matched with
broad leaves and these moistened by the eve
ming dew. threw back the rays of the moon and
cast Q ghostly. phoephorescent halo over the
encampm.nt HIS cheerut Finished. Jack pitched
the stump into the water and rose to go to his
Uabin just then shot broke the silence of the
night. Picking up his rife, he jumped into a
,dueout and with few strokes OF the paddle
reached the shore
shah Singh, the Sikh police sentry, perched
on q chAFpoi in the shade of the open guard
hut had allowed his larp to go out, for from
ms place of vantage he could keep an eye on
the Jemedar's hut and receive warning in case
that Officer should come out to visit the guard.
A soft thlId sounding behind him as If some
had dropped q bag of claff cut short his
reverie Facing round he found himself almost
within reach of large tiger. Instncttvely his
hand CROPPED for his rife as the tiger crOuched
to lean, but as the moonbaams struck the tigers
head shah Singhs body stiffersd and his hand
Tell away from the rife, which the fingers had
just found and he sat rs II frozen staring at
the tiger, while drops of sweat formed on
his brow
9sor q few seconds man and beast remained
stationary except that spssms of pain con-
Euhsed the features of the Eepoy MS his agony
of mind increased. Then the tiger sprang
This action broke the spell and Shah singh
snatehed zap his rifle too late. Before he could
hiring its muzZle to bear on the tiger his left
arm seized above the elbow and Is he tried
10 twist the tiger closed its teath, rObbing the
arm of all feeling However. instead of drop
ping the rifle the Sepoy gave conyulSive squeeze
with his right hand and one OF his hnsers
coming in contact with the trigger, discharged
the rife.
Almost before the echo of the report had died
away the garrison of the post were awake and
manning their alarm posts. Then, finding that
there was no hostile attack. the Jemedat &C
companie5 by two men with torches, went IN