Year: 1863

Since January 14th, 40, I have beer
| scattered over the world, and in 80 pick


ed myself up in that most poisonous o.
, countries, Nicaragua, where was EN- ploy Ell


by the Transit Company in various capaci
] ties. At the time the incident that am


about to relate occurred, was employed


on board Of one of the small steamers tha,
ply on the San Juan. Our station was


between Castillo and Machuca rapids:
lower end Of them is about three miles,


which distance passengers at that time had
to make on foot, while their baggage was


taken by water in skiffs. Then there was


another steamer that took them to San
Juan del Norte, or Grey town.


One evening there came to Castillo, from


the westward, some passengers very unex


pectedly; and as the White that was the


name of the steamer below the rapids was


to start for San Juan early in the morning,


and as it was too late to pass the passengers


down that night. it was necessary that the


captain of the White should BE- made aware


OF the passengers being at the head of the


rapids, so that he would wait for them.


was ordered by the captain of our boat the


bulwer, to 60 down and let him know. /


was sent because had been over the road


oftener than any one else that happened


to be there at the time. I did not like the


duty much. as there had been tigers seen


several times Oh the trail; but as the sail


or's motto must be implicit obedience,


started. The only weapon Of defence that


| could get was a bowie knife, that one Of


the passengers lent to me, as had left all


my arms at the hotel at Castillo; and, in


fact, bowie was the best weapon | could


have had to use in the complete darkness


When left the boat it was quite dark,


with every appearance Of heavy shower,


but as l thought knew the trail perfectly,


did not care much, as knew that If got


wet, some one on the other boat would lend


me dry clothes to put on when reached


there. | went along very well till had
gone two.th thirds Of the distance, when the
clouds let so their load Of water, and it
came down in sheets. For about half an


hour it rained as it only knows how to rain
in the tropics, and to crown all, l lost the


trail. When J found myself stumbling


through the underbrush, l stopped till the
r.in would cease and the clouds pass off, so
that l could have some light. 1t was as
dark-well so dark that one could feel it.


When it cleared up, tried to find the trail,


but 1t was OF no use; | was thoroughly lost.


| made up my mind to find high piece OF
ground, and lay down and sleep until morn.
ing soon found place to suit my pur


pose, at the foot Of large tree. scraped
up some leaves, and as the weather was
very warm, was soon dropping asleep,


when Was aroused by hearing a heavy
foo;f,ll, which | took to be- that of tiger.
and very large one, too, from the way be
stepped. rose up SO that had one knee
on the ground and one foot, and strained
my eyes to pierce the darkness; bu: to no
purpose, for though the animal kept coming
closer, could see nothing. Presently
saw what appeared to be two balls of green
tire. The instan, caught sight of them
the animal stepped, aud, as near as I could
ldge in the darkness, about eight feet from
me certainly not more ihan ten. There
remained for three or four minutes-prob. |
ably not SO long, but it seemed to me a much |
longer period, with my knife grlped tight,
waiting for the spring. At last l could |
not stand it any longer. | gave yell, to !
rather fr'ghten the tiger away, or bring him |
nj did not much care which, but any.
thing to put an end to my suspense. It
had the desired effect; for had not closed |
my mouth when saw the two eyes raise |
md shoot towards me. AS they came. l
struck with my knife and buried it in the |
animal. Then down to the earth I went.
borne by the shock, with the claws of the
''ger tearing my shoulders. We rolled
over on the ground once or twice before
could get my knife out OF him. When |
I'D get It loose, went to stabbing. made
three or four stabs, when the tiger let 90
III hold Of me, and Strengthened out and
lu'vered all through his body, which l
could feel as he lay on me. He then laid
perfectly still. ! was not long in removing
hia from me. I was not much hart. as
the tiger had not enough time after the first
spring till he was dead and then I had
caught him round the neck with my left
arm. Ny wounds felt rather painful, but
they did not bleed much. considered
that 1t was too dangerous to sleep on the
ground, as the scent Of the blood might
bring more tigers, and thought one Sas
enough for one hight. S. hunted up q
small tr,e aud passed the remainder Of