10 



A VISIT TO TI[K INDIAN AliCHIPELAGO. 



aiitliority at Siricxipore), tliat one may have been aeci- 

 dentally carried by the tide across tlie narrow straits 

 which eeparato the islautl from the main land, and 

 anotlier may have instinctively followed : fijidiiig ahunJauce 

 of food they have multiplied. This is a more rational 

 mode of accoiiuting for their being here, than to siipjiosc 

 that they cliaacd thoir prey over ; as it is contrary to the 

 nature of the beast to follow in pursuit, after the firsit 

 attempt proves uiisuccessfnl. Kow, at Sincapore, as in 

 the days of Alfred with the wolves in England, it is 

 necessary to oifcr a reward for their destruction. 



One of tlic most recent victims was tiic son of the 

 headman at the village of Passier Itice, who, Iiaviiig gone 

 into the jungle immediately at the hack of his father's 

 house, for the purpose of cutting wood, was attEicked by a 

 tiger. The father, hearing his cries, rushed out just in timo 

 to grasp his son's legs, as the bnite was dmgging hhn 

 into the jungle. The father pulled and the tiger growled 

 ferociously, and it was only on several pcrsjons coming up 

 and assailing him, that the monster was peisuadcd to quit 

 his prey ; but tlie unfortunate young man was dead f I 

 could enumerate many instances of tlie daring exploits 

 of these brutes, hut one or two will be sufficient to con- 

 vince the reader of the ferocious nature of their attacks, 

 and their peculiar relisli for human flesh, wliidi, when onee 

 tasted, is preferred by them to an}^ other. 



The district of Siranjong appears to he their favoui'ite 

 prow hng"g round, In Aprd, last year, one of them put to 



