_THE SIGHT OF A TIGER._[4]
Secunderabad, 1828.
A short time since, a brother sub. in my regiment was riding out round
some hills adjoining the cantonment, when a _cheetar_, small tiger
(or panther,) pounced on his dog. Seeing his poor favourite in the
cheetar's mouth, like a mouse in Minette's, he put spurs to his horse,
rode after the beast, and so frightened him, that he dropped the dog
and made off. Three of us, including myself, then agreed to sit up
that night, and watch for the tiger, feeling assured that his haunt
was not far from our cantonment. So we started late at night, armed
_cap-à-pied_, and each as fierce in heart as ten tigers; arrived
at the appointed spot, and having selected a convenient place for
concealment, we picketed a sheep, brought with us purposely to entice
the cheetar from his lair. Singular to relate, this poor animal, as if
instinctively aware of its critical situation, was as mute as if
it had been mouthless, and during two or three hours in which we
tormented it, to make it utter a cry, our efforts were of no avail.
Hour after hour slipped away, still no cheetar; and about three
o'clock in the morning, wearied with our fruitless vigil, we all began
to drop asleep. I believe I was wrapped in a most leaden slumber, and
dreaming of anything but watching for, and hunting tigers, when I was
aroused by the most unnatural, unearthly, and infernal roaring ever
heard. This was our friend, and for his reception, starting upon our
feet, we were all immediately ready; but the cunning creature who
had no idea of becoming our victim, made off, with the most hideous
howlings, to the shelter of a neighbouring eminence; when sufficient
daylight appeared, we followed the direction of his voice, and had the
felicity of seeing him perched on the summit of an immense high rock,
just before us, placidly watching our movements. We were here, too far
from him to venture a shot, but immediately began ascending, when the
creature seeing us approach, rose, opened his ugly red mouth in a
desperate yawn, and stretched himself with the utmost _nonchalance_,
being, it seems, little less weary than ourselves. We presented, but
did not fire, because at that very moment, setting up his tail, and
howling horribly, he disappeared behind the rock. Quick as thought
we followed him, but to our great disappointment and chagrin, he had
retreated into one of the numerous caverns formed in that ugly place,
by huge masses of rock, piled one upon the other. Into some of these
dangerous places, however, we descended, sometimes creeping, sometimes
walking, in search of our foe; but not finding him, at length returned
to breakfast, which I thought the most agreeable and sensible part of
the affair. Some wit passed amongst us respecting the propriety of
changing the name _cheetar_, into _cheat-us_; but were, on the whole,
not pleased by the failure of our expedition; and I have only favoured
you with this _romantic_ incident in the life of a sub. as a specimen
of the sort of amusement we meet with in quarters.
[3] Communicated by M.L.B., Great Marlow, Bucks.
[4] Vide _Mirror_, vol. xviii. p. 343.--_Note_.
_Natural Zoological Garden_.