Page 31 - Malay sketches

THE TIGER

the kampong, as each cluster of huts and orchards
is called. Every one arms himself with such
weapons as he possesses, the boys of sixteen or
seventeen climb into trees, from which they hope
to see and be able to report the movements of
the beast. The men, marshalled by the ka-tua
kampong, the village chief, make their plans for
surrounding the spot where the tiger was seen, and
word is sent by messenger to the nearest police-
station and European officer.
Whilst all this is taking place, the tiger, probably
conscious that too many people are about, leaves
his lair and stealthily creeps along a path which will
lead him far from habitations. But, as he does so,
he passes under a tree where sits one of the young
watchmen, and the boy, seizing his opportunity,
drops a heavy spear on the tiger as he passes, and
gives him a serious wound. The beast, with a roar
of pain, leaps into the jungle, carrying the spear
with him and, after what he considers a safe
;
the back to the
interval, boy climbs down, gets
circle of watchers, and reports what has occurred.
For a
long time, there is silence, no one caring to
go in and seek a wounded tiger but this monotony
is broken rudely and suddenly by a shot on the out-
skirts of the wide surrounding ring of beaters where