Poor Mahala felt very badly as he stood in the big railway station and watched Chola and the little Sahib go off in the fire-carriage. "I will go and buy some sweetmeats," he said finally. This made him feel a little better, for Mahala had a very "sweet tooth."
Meantime Chola and his little friend were speeding quickly through waving rice-fields and grain-fields. This is even more fun than travelling in the ox-wagon, thought Chola, as they rushed through town after town and watched the trees fly past. Finally they stopped at the village where Achmed had arranged for the elephants and the beaters to meet them, for the real way to hunt tigers is to go after them on elephants.
The servants had packed away their belongings and camp things on top of the two big elephants, as they expected to have to live in the jungle for several days.
"Isn't this splendid?" exclaimed Harry, as the elephants went rocking along through the tangled grass. He was so excited that he could not keep still, and even Chola's mild black eyes were sparkling.
The beaters, whose business it is to beat through the long grass and underbrush where a tiger might be hidden, were full of tales of a great man-eating tiger that was the terror of the region, and who was in the habit of coming boldly up to the fields and gardens, carrying off goats and even attacking the oxen.
When they came to one of the little villages, they found the inhabitants in a state of terror. Only the day before, the tiger had sprung on a farmer who was ploughing his fields and carried him off in sight of the whole village. The tracks which were seen in the mud along the banks of a stream showed that he was a very big and powerful tiger.
Our party followed these tracks for some time, but nothing more was discovered; and, as it was growing late, they made camp for the night.
The servants quickly put up the tents for the Sahibs and built a big fire. They did not want a tiger to pay them a surprise visit at night; and hungry tigers often do bold things.
"Ough! this is creepy. Just suppose a tiger should steal up behind us now," confided Harry to Chola, as they sat around the big fire after supper.
"It is well to have a charm; hast thou one?" asked little Chola, as he felt for the charm which hung about his neck. He always wore a charm, but this was one which his uncle had given him to keep off the evil spirits of the jungle.
"No, indeed," laughed Harry. "We don't wear such things. Still, if one does believe in charms, now is the time to have one," he added, looking behind him rather fearfully.
It was strange and wild there in the dense forest full of unknown dangers; and there were queer noises, and the firelight twisted up the shadows of the men and elephants into grewsome and unsightly things.
Once in awhile a cry would come from some wild animal or bird in the trees, and the boys would look over their shoulders and draw up closer to the fire. But it was fun, although they felt more creepy still when the beaters began to tell stories of wonderful hunts in which they had taken part in the past; and the old head beater, who had come from the south, himself, told tales of his wonderful adventures.
He told how one night he awoke and found a leopard sniffing at his head as he lay sleeping on his veranda; and how he only saved his life by holding his breath and pretending to be dead. A leopard will not touch a dead person or animal. Another time he had seen the queer little "Todas," a race of people who live in the Nilgiri Hills in the far south and worship buffaloes, and say prayers while they are milking these sacred beasts, whose temples are their dairies.
He knew, too, the wild, shy people of the jungle, who build their houses like nests in the trees, so as to be safe from prowling wild beasts. Once while hunting in the deep forest he had been caught in the huge coils of a terrible boa-constrictor, one of those great snakes that can crush an ox by winding themselves about it in great coils, or can swallow an antelope at one mouthful. The beater was only saved from the anger of the great snake by one of the other hunters coming up just at the right moment and killing it.
He was a wonderful man, this old fellow with the long gray beard, as he sat by the fire chewing his "betel" nut and telling his neverending stories.
The next morning all were up at daybreak, for they wanted to get an early start. One of the elephants had been rather ugly during the time when the men were packing the things on his back, and he was still in a bad temper when Harry came up with a piece of sugar for him. Instead of putting the sugar into the elephant's mouth, Harry accidentally dropped it on the ground. This made the elephant still more angry; and, as Harry stooped to pick up the sugar, he lifted his great foot and would have crushed the boy, who did not dream of the danger he was in. Suddenly Chola saw the danger, and rushing right up under the angry elephant's foot made those strange cries that the old head driver at his uncle's had taught him. It was the talk of the elephants among themselves as they roamed the jungle.
It was like magic. The big foot came down gently without touching either of the boys, and the elephant, giving a peculiar cry, rubbed his trunk against Chola, just as the Colonel Sahib and every one came running up in terror, for they had seen it all and thought that the boys would surely be crushed to death.
Chola was a great hero! You can imagine how the Colonel Sahib thanked him; and the natives looked at him with wonder and awe.
"He is indeed one who is wise though young; for the wild animals talk with him as with a friend," said the old head beater, as he salaamed down to Chola's feet.
Harry did not say much until he and Chola were alone, and then he said: "Chola, I did think you were a bit of a coward when we were talking in your uncle's garden; but I know now you are much braver than I, for I would never have dared to go up like that and order about an angry elephant."
After everybody had got over their fright and were actually ready to start, some of the beaters who had been looking around for signs of tigers came back and said they had seen the tracks. So everything was got ready as quickly as possible, or as quickly as Hindus can be got to move, and the big elephants went trudging along through the underwood until finally it was seen that the grass had been crushed down in places, a sign that the tiger himself could not be far away. The elephants began to show signs of fear, as they always do when a tiger is about, and the beaters divided their forces, some of them going around one way and the rest another, searching carefully through the tangled grass and underbrush. All the men got their guns ready, and it was not a minute too soon; for, suddenly, up out of the jungle, there sprang a great yellow tiger, straight for the "howdah" in which the Colonel Sahib and Harry and Chola were sitting.
With a howl of pain the tiger rolled under the elephant's feet, as a bullet from the Colonel's gun went crashing into his brain.
"My! but he's a fine fellow! Won't his skin make a fine rug, father?" cried Harry, in great excitement. When he was measured, the old beater said that it was one of the biggest tigers he had ever seen. The Colonel felt very proud of his prize.
They beat around through the bush for several days, but they came upon no more tigers; so the party turned back again on their own tracks bound for home.
Our two little friends were sorry to part, but Harry said that Chola must come and see him at Simla, up in the hills, where the English folk go when it gets too hot for them to stay in the plains and in the big cities. There the boys would have some more "good times" at the Colonel Sahib's bungalow, among the cedars, as the Englishman's country house in India is called.
And didn't Chola have wonderful tales to tell to Mahala and Nao, as they all sat together in the evenings under the big tree in the garden, while Shriya played with her new dolls beside them and listened with wide-open eyes.
The most delightful and interesting accounts possible of child life in other lands, filled with quaint sayings, doings, and adventures.
Each one vol., 12mo, decorative cover, cloth, with six or more full-page illustrations in color.
| Our Little African Cousin |
| Our Little Alaskan Cousin |
| By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet |
| Our Little Arabian Cousin |
| By Blanche McManus |
| Our Little Armenian Cousin |
| Our Little Brown Cousin |
| Our Little Canadian Cousin |
| By Elizabeth R. Macdonald |
| Our Little Chinese Cousin |
| By Isaac Taylor Headland |
| Our Little Cuban Cousin |
| Our Little Dutch Cousin |
| By Blanche McManus |
| Our Little English Cousin |
| By Blanche McManus |
| Our Little Eskimo Cousin |
| Our Little French Cousin |
| By Blanche McManus |
| Our Little German Cousin |
| Our Little Hawaiian Cousin |
| Our Little Hindu Cousin |
| By Blanche McManus |
| Our Little Indian Cousin |
| Our Little Irish Cousin |
| Our Little Italian Cousin |
| Our Little Japanese Cousin |
| Our Little Jewish Cousin |
| Our Little Korean Cousin |
| By H. Lee M. Pike |
| Our Little Mexican Cousin |
| By Edward C. Butler |
| Our Little Norwegian Cousin |
| Our Little Panama Cousin |
| By H. Lee M. Pike |
| Our Little Philippine Cousin |
| Our Little Porto Rican Cousin |
| Our Little Russian Cousin |
| Our Little Scotch Cousin |
| By Blanche McManus |
| Our Little Siamese Cousin |
| Our Little Spanish Cousin |
| By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet |
| Our Little Swedish Cousin |
| By Claire M. Coburn |
| Our Little Swiss Cousin |
| Our Little Turkish Cousin |
The Goldenrod Library contains stories which appeal alike both to children and to their parents and guardians.
Each volume is well illustrated from drawings by competent artists, which, together with their handsomely decorated uniform binding, showing the goldenrod, usually considered the emblem of America, is a feature of their manufacture.
| Aunt Nabby's Children. By Frances Hodges White. |
| Child's Dream of a Star, The. By Charles Dickens. |
| Flight of Rosy Dawn, The. By Pauline Bradford Mackie. |
| Findelkind. By Ouida. |
| Fairy of the Rhone, The. By A. Comyns Carr. |
| Gatty and I. By Frances E. Crompton. |
| Helena's Wonderworld. By Frances Hodges White. |
| Jerry's Reward. By Evelyn Snead Barnett. |
| La Belle Nivernaise. By Alphonse Daudet. |
| Little King Davie. By Nellie Hellis. |
| Little Peterkin Vandike. By Charles Stuart Pratt. |
| Little Professor, The. By Ida Horton Cash. |
| Peggy's Trial. By Mary Knight Potter. |
| Prince Yellowtop. By Kate Whiting Patch. |
| Provence Rose, A. By Ouida. |
| Seventh Daughter, A. By Grace Wickham Curran. |
| Sleeping Beauty, The. By Martha Baker Dunn. |
| Small, Small Child, A. By E. Livingston Prescott. |
| Susanne. By Frances J. Delano. |
| Water People, The. By Charles Lee Sleight. |
| Young Archer, The. By Charles E. Brimblecom. |
The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a small girl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fancied resemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and old family are famous in the region.
This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in France. Joyce is a great friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes shares with her the delightful experiences of the "House Party" and the "Holidays."
In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an old friend, but with added grace and charm. She is not, however, the central figure of the story, that place being taken by the "two little knights."
A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who comes to America and is befriended by a sympathetic American family who are attracted by her beautiful speaking voice. By means of this one gift she is enabled to help a school-girl who has temporarily lost the use of her eyes, and thus finally her life becomes a busy, happy one.
The readers of Mrs. Johnston's charming juveniles will be glad to learn of the issue of this volume for young people.
A collection of six bright little stories, which will appeal to all boys and most girls.
A story of two boys. The devotion and care of Steven, himself a small boy, for his baby brother, is the theme of the simple tale.
"Ole Mammy's Torment" has been fitly called "a classic of Southern life." It relates the haps and mishaps of a small negro lad, and tells how he was led by love and kindness to a knowledge of the right.
In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, a pet monkey, owned jointly by two brothers. Dago tells his own story, and the account of his haps and mishaps is both interesting and amusing.
A pleasant little story of a boy's labor of love, and how it changed the course of his life many years after it was accomplished.
A story of a boy's life battle, his early defeat, and his final triumph, well worth the reading.
A Story of Colonial times in Boston, telling how Christmas was invented by Betty Sewall, a typical child of the Puritans, aided by her brother Sam.
The author introduces this story as follows:
"One ride is memorable in the early history of the American Revolution, the well-known ride of Paul Revere. Equally deserving of commendation is another ride,—the ride of Anthony Severn,—which was no less historic in its action or memorable in its consequences."
A delightful and interesting story of Revolutionary days, in which the child heroine, Betsey Schuyler, renders important services to George Washington.
This is an historical tale of a real girl, during the time when the gallant Sir Harry Vane was governor of Massachusetts.
The scene of this story is laid in the Puritan settlement at Charlestown.
A story of Boston in Puritan days, which is of great interest to youthful readers.
The story of a "Little Puritan Cavalier" who tried with all his boyish enthusiasm to emulate the spirit and ideals of the dead Crusaders.
The story tells of a young lad in Colonial times who endeavored to carry out the high ideals of the knights of olden days.
Too well and favorably known to require description.
This beautiful story has never before been published at a popular price.
A charming nature story of a "little giant" whose neighbours were the creatures of the field and garden.
A little story which teaches children that the birds are man's best friends.
A charming story of child-life, appealing especially to the little readers who like stories of "real people."
The story of Betty's brother, and some further adventures of Betty herself.
Curious little sketches describing the early lifetime, or "childhood," of the little creatures out-of-doors.
A bright, lifelike little story of a family of poor children, with an unlimited capacity for fun and mischief. The wonderful never-to-be forgotten Christmas that came to them is the climax of a series of exciting incidents.
A delightful story of a little boy who has many adventures by means of the magic gifts of his fairy godmother.
The story of a household elf who torments the cook and gardener, but is a constant joy and delight to the children who love and trust him.
Miss Mulock's short stories for children are a constant source of delight to them, and "His Little Mother," in this new and attractive dress, will be welcomed by hosts of youthful readers.
An attractive story of a summer outing. "Little Sunshine" is another of those beautiful child-characters for which Miss Mulock is so justly famous.
A sweet and graceful story of a little boy who loved his country; written with that charm which has endeared Miss Saunders to hosts of readers.
In this touching little book, Miss Saunders shows how dear to her heart are all of God's dumb creatures.
Alpatok, an Eskimo dog from the far north, was stolen from his master and left to starve in a strange city, but was befriended and cared for, until he was able to return to his owner.
This story, written by the gifted young Southern woman, will appeal to all that is best in the natures of the many admirers of her graceful and piquant style.
Those who read and enjoyed the pathos and charm of "The Farrier's Dog and His Fellow" will welcome the further account of the adventures of Baydaw and the Fellow at the home of the kindly smith.
This continues the experiences of the Farrier's dog and his Fellow, written in Miss Dromgoole's well-known charming style.
A fascinating story for boys and girls, of a family of Alabama children who move to Florida and grow up in the South.
An account of the adventures of four children and their pet dog on an island, and how they cleared their brother from the suspicion of dishonesty.
This is a story of the exploits and mishaps of two mischievous twins, and continues the adventures of the interesting group of children in "Loyalty Island."
The story of two boys who turned their yacht into a fishing boat to earn money to pay for a college course, and of their adventures while exploring in search of hidden treasure.
The story of a young lad of Acadia who rescued a little English girl from the hands of savages.
A capital tale of newspaper life in a big city, and of a bright, enterprising, likable youngster employed thereon.
The late Bishop Clark's popular story of the boy who fell through the earth and came out in China, with a new introduction by Bishop Potter.
The adventures of two little people who tried to earn money to buy crutches for a lame aunt. An excellent description of child-life about 1812, which will greatly interest and amuse the children of to-day, whose life is widely different.
Larry Hudson is a typical American boy, whose hard work and enterprise gain him his ambition,—an education and a start in the world.
A touching story of Yule-tide.
A story of two orphan children, the tender devotion of the eldest, a boy, for his sister being its theme and setting. With a bit of sadness at the beginning, the story is otherwise bright and sunny, and altogether wholesome in every way.
Written fifty years or more ago, and not originally intended for publication, this little fairy-tale soon became known and made a place for itself.
Mr. Stevenson's little volume is too well known to need description.
Illustrated.
Being three "Little Colonel" stories in the Cosy Corner Series, "The Little Colonel," "Two Little Knights of Kentucky," and "The Giant Scissors," put into a single volume.
Illustrated by Louis Meynell.
Illustrated by L. J. Bridgman.
Illustrated by E. B. Barry.
Illustrated by E. B. Barry.
Illustrated by E. B. Barry.
Illustrated by E. B. Barry.
Illustrated by E. B. Barry.
New plates, handsomely illustrated, with eight full-page drawings in color.
"The books are as satisfactory to the small girls, who find them adorable, as for the mothers and librarians, who delight in their influence."—Christian Register.
| Each one volume, tall 16mo, cloth decorative | $0.50 |
| Paper boards | .35 |
There has been a constant demand for publication in separate form of these four stories, which were originally included in four of the "Little Colonel" books.
A story of the time of Christ, which is one of the author's best-known books.
"'Asa Holmes; or, At the Cross-Roads' is the most delightful, most sympathetic and wholesome book that has been published in a long while."—Boston Times.
Here is a book which will grip and enthuse every boy reader. It is the story of a party of typical American lads, courageous, alert, and athletic, who spend a summer camping on an island off the Maine coast.
"The best boys' book since 'Tom Sawyer.'"—San Francisco Examiner.
This book is a continuation of the adventures of "The Rival Campers" on their prize yacht Viking. An accidental collision results in a series of exciting adventures, culminating in a mysterious chase, the loss of their prize yacht, and its recapture by means of their old yacht, Surprise.
"The Rival Campers Ashore" deals with the adventures of the campers and their friends in and around the town of Benton. Mr. Smith introduces a new character,—a girl,—who shows them the way to an old mill, around which the mystery of the story revolves. The girl is an admirable acquisition, proving as daring and resourceful as the campers themselves.
Mr. Stevenson's hero is a manly lad of sixteen, who is given a chance as a section-hand on a big Western railroad, and whose experiences are as real as they are thrilling.
The young hero has many chances to prove his manliness and courage in the exciting adventures which befall him in the discharge of his duty.
Jack is a fine example of the all-around American high-school boy. He has the sturdy qualities boys admire, and his fondness for clean, honest sport of all kinds will strike a chord of sympathy among athletic youths.
All boys and girls who take an interest in school athletics will wish to read of the exploits of the Millvale High School students, under the leadership of Captain Jack Lorimer.
Captain Jack's Champions play quite as good ball as do some of the teams on the large leagues, and they put all opponents to good hard work in other summer sports.
Jack Lorimer and his friends stand out as the finest examples of all-round American high school boys and girls.
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
Ad pages in back, the author for A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stephenson is listed on the original ad page as: L. R. Stephenson. This was corrected to R. L. Stephenson.