Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/52

 36 LIFE IN JAVA.

dared not move or breathe, but, by a terrible effort, kept himself perfectly still, until the sound of steps retreating from his bedside convinced him that his surmise was incorrect. Opening his eyes very slowly, he was, however, none the less horri- fied to see, sitting on his hind-legs, an enormous tiger, with its glaring eyes fixed on the bed and its occupant. Not having any weapon near him, the Dutchman felt he was defenceless, but had nerve enough to remain quietly where he Avas, keeping his half-closed eyes fixed on the unwelcome visitor. In a few moments, which appeared to him not only the most momentous, but the longest, he had ever experienced, the intruder stood on all-fours, and sniffed about a little. " I cannot live it out," tliought the poor gentleman, " if he comes to my bed again ;" and as he lay he could feel the cold persj)iration dropping down his face. Fortunately, however, his ordeal was over sooner than he antici- pated, for the tiger, making his way to the

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