Year: 1862

I'll should see at least one human being
capable of acting as a guide.


The sun was rapidly nearing the west
ern horizon, and was despairing of any
succor that day, when my attention was
attracted TO a commotion in the Jungle,
some quarter Of mile distant. Birds Of
various kinds flew up screaming, and eli
ther lowered over the spot in anger, OF
darted quickly away in fear, and l could
catch glimpses of the deer, elk, and the
buffalo, bounding off in every direction.
What could be the cause Of this disturb
ance? Was it some one or more of my
attendants returning to ascertain my fate.
Man, | knew, was almost universally fear
ed by the wild feathered tribe Of the viii
derness and the animals of the brute crea-
tion, and in man was now my hope. Wild
ly did my heart beat, and eagerly did l
strain my eyes to catch view of my de-
liverer.


The line of commotion advanced slow
ly, but still could not be certain of the
cause. Nearer and nearer it came, ill at
last l felt n cold thrill of terror pass
through my frame, as l suddenly caught
q glimpse of sleek, spotted hide Of n
royal tiger slowly and softly making his
way through the jungle, directly toward
the tree upon which l was perched. l
looked down at the elephant, and perceiv-
ed that BY some peculiar faculty or in
stinct he was already aware of his danger
He was standing perfectly still, no longer
making an effort to release himself; but l
could see the skin of his broad back quiv-
or, as if every nerve of his body were af-
fected.


The tiger gradually drew nearer, and at
last stopped within few PAGES, as if to
calculate his chances. Then, with brist-
ling hair, he stole softly round his intend
ed victim, in broad circle, his sharp teeth
visible, and his terrible eyes glaring with
fierce anger and desire. Then crouching
for the spring, he gave one fearful roar
and bound, and fairly landed upon the
back of his helpless victim, which uttered
an agonizing cry-a sort OF shrek and
groan combined-that made me pity him,
enemy though he was.


But his sutferings were Of short dura-
ton; as he could make no resistance, the
tiger had matters all his own way! and
almost in the time it takes me TO tell you
the fact, he had torn open the throat Of
the giant beast, and was drinking his fill
of the warm gushing blood. The sight
sickened me, and l clung to the tree with
closed eyes and dizzy brain.


When | looked again the terror of the
jungle was making his retreat, licking his
chops with glutted satisfaction. | looked
at the elephant, and behold a CORY car
cas-, still held to the tree by his tusks.
He was dead, and his death was perhaps
my own salvation, though was still
afraid to descend, lest fshould be assail-
ed by some carniverous beast attracted
thither by the smell of blood.


expected nothing but that l should
be compelled to remain there through the
night; but l bethought me to try the vir-
tue of my voice again, and shouted for
help. To my surprise and almost frantic
Joy, answer was returned. repeated my
call for help, and one of my attendants
made his appearance. I explained what
had occurred, and by a signal of his own,
he soon brought three of the others to his
side. l then descended, but found my
self very faint, and was by two of them
assisted to my palanquin, where l swoon-
ed away.


1t is enough to add that passed thro'
the jungle in safety; though if any gen.
tleman thinks flattered myself on being
hero, before 1 left it, beg to undeceive
him. l have since experienced some re-
markable adventures, but none that have
left upon my mind so vivid an impression
of the terrible one / have just related.