CHAPTER LXIX. 



TWO CURIOSITIES. 



fDTHING could surpass the audacity of Dick Brownell in entering the tiger's 

 lair for the purpose of stealing her young. 



The most experienced hunter that would dare do such a thing would be 

 declared reckless beyond excuse. The only thing that I can say about the exploit 

 was that it was characteristic of the lad. 



It was a strange sight when the youth, picking his way through the jungle toward 

 the highway, holding a plump, squirming kitten in each hand, stopped short, face 

 to face with the terrible mother. 



The latter, instead of going off for an hour or two, had made a circuit through 

 tlie jungle on the other side of the highway, recrossed it farther up at the moment 

 the two friends were entering the undergrowth, and approached her lair by a cir- 

 cuitous course. 



Just as Dick darted back to his friend, with the request that he should hold his 

 gun for a minute or two, it occurred to Mr. Godkin that the true place for him was 

 on the edge of the jungle, where he could watch the road and detect the tiger should 

 she return before they could get away. 



Had the gentleman been one minute sooner in taking his post, he would have 

 discovered the danger in time to warn his companion, and to prepare for the recep- 

 tion of the mother ; but the movements of the beast were silent and lightning-like. 



Dick was " caught foul," as the expression goes. 



There he stood in front of the beast, transfixed, and holding her beloved offspring 

 by the napes of their necks, clear proof that he was engaged in stealing her progeny. 



What punishment was too great for the outraged mother to inflict upon such a 

 miscreant? 



According to Dick's account he was absolutely paralyzed for the moment. He 

 did not think it possible the mother would return so soon, though he was prepared 

 for a fight with her before getting off with his prizes. 



Then, knowing how strong the attachment of the tiger -is for her young, he gave 

 such a vigorous fling to each of the kittens that they went over her head and fell 

 among the bushes behind her, or rather one of them did so. 



It was at this extraordinary juncture that the beast gave a striking and singular 

 exhibition of her dexterity. 



The second kitten was going through the air like a big dumpling, when the 

 mother threw up her head and caught it fairly between her jaws, doing so with a skill 

 that prevented any harm to her offspring, and with a deftness that would have been a 

 strong recommendation for a position in the champion base-ball nine of the country. 



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