The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-08-15
ATTACK OF A LIONESS.

On Sunday evening, October 20, about
quarter before eight, the mail-coach, from
Exeter to London, was attacked at Win
terslow Hut, seven miles from Salisbury, in
Il most extraordinary manner. At the mo-
ment when the coachman pulled up to de-
liver his bag, the Off leader was suddenly
seized by ter0cious animal. This produc-
ed great confusion and alarm: two inside
passengers got out ran into the house, and
with little ceremony proceeded up stairs,
where they locked themselves in; the hors-
es kicked and plunged violently, and it was
with difficulty the coachman could prevent
the carriage from being overturned. 1t
was soon perceived by the light of the
lamps, that the animal which had seized the
horse was huge lioness; and which it ap-
peared had escaped from a caravan stand
ing on the road side, belonging to the pro-
prIetors of a menagerIe, on their way to
Salisbury Fair. An alarm being given,
the keeper Immediately came forward, and
rendered every assistance. A large New
foundland dog, between which and the Ii
oness fondness had existed, was set at
her, and seized her by the leg. The lion
ess, or finding herself attacked, quilted the
horse and turned upon the dog, which it
was expected would very soon become the
victim of her fury; but the animal, with
more reproach than viciousness, inflicted a
slight punishment on it, and on hearing the
voice Of the keeper, retired underneath IA
stable granary, where soon after, the keep
er very deliberately got in, put his arms
around her neck, and secured her without
any further injury. The lioness il appears,
attacked the horse i'll front, and springlng
at it's throat, had fastened the talons OF her
fore feet on each side Of his neck, close to
the head, while the ;alons of her hind feet
were forced into his chest. In this situa-
ton she hung, while the blood was seen
flying, as if vein had been opened by Il
lancet. The ferocious animal missed the
throat and the jugular vein, but the horse
was so dreadfully torn, he was not expected
TO survive. The expression of agony, II
his tears and means, was most piteous an
affecting. lie was capital horse and
great favolite of the proprietor. A fresl
horse was procured, and the mail dIOv ON
being detained three quarters of an hour
The lIoness is an uncommonly fine young
animal, only five years old; and the man
ner in which she was secured, after her at
tack on the horses, affords remarkable
which such ierocous creatures are brough
by the management Of their keepers whe
she had retired under the stable granary
her owne. and his assistants, after n shol
dellberation, followed her upon their hand
and knees with lighted candles, and havin
placed sack on the ground near her, the
male her lie down upon ii; they then tie
her iole legs, and passed II cord round he
mouth, which they secured in this stat
they drew her out from under the granar
upon the suck, and then she was lifted an
carried by six men into her den in the ca
avian. 10 the establishment OF every OF
who beheld this part of the transactic
! (Which lasted about quarter of an hour
! the loness lay as quietly as lamb duriu
her removal to the caravan ; but when the
she became Sensible of the restraints ST
was under, and her rage was excessive, I
the coids which annoyed her we're loose
ed,--Curiosities of Nature and .4rt.