Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/109

 Teng-oo and the Marble Caves. 105

The son, as filial duty required, must get it at all risks. With difficulty he descended and fastened a rope about it, so that it could be drawn up. They then buried the body and went home. In the evening the tiger returned tu the village, but all the people were then safely locked in their houses. He roared, so the people said, until the earth shook, but could not get at his prey. This account, with the names of the parties concerned, was given me in a manner that leaves no doubt of its truth. Jn this particular neighbourhood the number of pigs and cattle carried off is very great. From all accounts it would appear that the number of people annually carried off by tigers in the Canton hill country may be reckoned in scores, and of cattle, pigs, and other domestic animals in hundreds. “ Why do not the people destroy them?” is the question often asked. Because they have no efficient means. Their arms are poor, their aim uncertain, and superstition keeps them in such dread of the beasts, that it is only when forced in actual self-defence that they will attack them. Near Lak-chook, the town referred to, a few years ago the ravages of these kings among the beasts were so great, that the people determined to call in supernatural help, and so held a sacrificial feast, called Ta-teen-tsiu, “An offering to Heaven,” for deliverance from the scourge of tigers. The performances were kept for several days, and their efficiency may be inferred from the fact that while the services were going on a tiger came into the village where they were held and carried off a pig. The affair in which two men were killed occurred afterwards near the same place.

At*the head of navigation on this stream we find