SAVED FROM A TIGER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 18 July 1925, Page 10

SAVED FROM A TIGER

INDIAN VILLACER'S GALLANTRY In a recent London Gazette it was reported that the King had awarded the Albert .Medal to Veladi tSanumii. of Miir--1 wa i Forest Village, in recognition of his I gallantry in saving life in the following I cireumstaiices : On November 9. 1924, Mr 11. S. I George, Deputy Conservator of Forests of the South Chanda Division of the ' Centrai Provinces, had just completed : his inspection of a piece of forest and I was returning to camp along a jungle j path- accompanied by Veladi Sanniiai, : a Good villager of the district , who | was carrying Air George's gun and walkjed in front. Suddenly, and without j warning, a man-eating tiger jumped j upon Ah- George's back, seized him by the neck, and proceeded to drag him into the jungle. Veladi Sanunai behaved with extraordinary gallantry ; lie rushed at the tiger, placed the muzzle j of the gun against it, and pulled the I trigger, but was unable to discharge j the weapon owing to the safety catch, | with which lie was not familiar. He ' then shouted and waved his arms, thus j driving the tiger off for a short dis- , lance. Air George was hadlv bitten in the neck and covered with blood, but with the (.loud's assistance he managed to stagger slowly along, and reached his camp, which was about two miles away. The tiger followed them for some distance, but was kept off by the shouts and demonstrations of the Goad. It was known that a man-eating tiger was in the neighbourhood and had killed several villagers, but it had never at- ; tacked anyone on the path used by the [forest olliror. and neither Air George j nor the Gond had any suspicion, of [the tiger's presence until the attack j was made. Veladi Snmmai's action was an extremely brave one, and he gravely imperilled his own life. lie certainly saved Air George's, as only his prompt and gallant action prevented the tiger dragging the forest officer mb' the 1 iungle and eating him.