Year: 1868

The following exciting description of an
encounter with black tiger is from an
article upon Lake Nicaragua, in an En-
glish magazine;


One night, after had been six months
on the Island, was seated by the fire,
waiting for the plantains that were boiling
in pot. joachim was not in the hut, and
was expecting him home to supper.


Suddenly heard his shout outside, and
the next instant he dashed into the hut,
banged the door to, and threw the heavy
bar across it. Just as he fixed 1t, and pant
ing, leaned his shoulder against the stout
wood as an additional support, a shock, so
heavy that the whole hut quivered, made
the door bend. Another followed-then
all was still


sprung up at the first sight of Joachim,
but the scene passed 80 quickly that no
word had been spoken as yet. But when,
after the second blow on the door, the at
tempt seemed to be abandoned on that side,
l took the native by the shoulder and shook
him, for he seemed wild with fear.


"Hullo, manW / said, "what is this"


His appearance was ghastly. The old
Guatemala jacket he wore, his leather
breeches, even his boots of falligator hide,
were ripped and cut by the thorns of the
acacas. His face 3treamed with blood
from many deep scratches, and perspira-
ton drenched his long hair.


"a black tiger" he whispered; il has
chased me across the savannah, for my
horse was tired ont. 1t is after me. Oh,
listenp


Then, in the silence, while we held our
breath, and joachim strained my hand
backwards and forwards, l heard the hard
snoring of tiger just outside the door
~ I - A,I at.N rlfA
Joachim out, and let the horse go free.


While we listened, the direction of the
sound moved about, now up and now down,
accompanied by raps against the door, as
If the animal was resting his paws against
it as he reared himself on his hind legs.


AT length we heard the sound of scratch
ing and l drew my machete. In a few
seconds black paw, armed with terrible
crooked claws, was seen working on our
side of the door. gave a downright cut
which nearly severed it, and the animal,
roaring savagely, threw himself against
the wood, again and again, in rage.


Then another pause followed. Very
soon a noise upon the roof showed, as we
had expected that the enemy was direct
ing his attack in that direction, and got
my old gun ready. AS soon as saw the
animals fur fired, and wounded him, no
doubt, for he rolled from the rOOII ana
we heard him fall heavily Again and
again he returned to the attempt, and every
time | caught glimpse of his back and
shining skin fired.


His roaring was terrible to hear, and
Joachim, who never had courage 70 spare,
sat on the floor in a corner, striving to close
his ears to the sound.


All night the struggle lasted at intervals,
and every crack of the hut was tried by
this untiring foe. He dashed upon the
door, he bounded upon the roof scratching
the thatch away, but ever disturbed by my
fire he tried the walls and door again and
again. II was an awful night, that's the
fact; and l, for my part, did not recover
from the nervous strain for months.


With the dawn the tigers efforts became
fainter, and at length ceased. When the
sun rose took my gun and sailed out TO
meet the creature in fair fight ! followed
his trail for mile or more, easily guided
by the clOuts of blood which stained the
grass and rocks He was wounded 10 the
death / plainly saw. And at last ! found
him dead beside the body Of Joachin's horse,
which he must have destroyed in the very
last effort Of his rage, dying in the act,