Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-02-07
Encounter with Hyenas.

tional affairs, none of which, however,
can be compared with the circumstance
now under notice, for the almost tragic
incidents connected with it. 1t is gene
rally supposed that hyenas are untamea-
Bile. Mr.. Manders, while on the conti-
nent some twelve or fourteen months ago,
purchased fine pair of striped hyenas,
which he placed in his menagerie under
the care of keeper named Stephen
Lawrences 1t appears that Lawrence
was feeding these animals, when one of
them got piece of bone fast in his
throat. A number of expedients were
tried from the exterior of the den to dis
lodge the bone from the hyena's mouth,
but as the animal retreated to the ex-
treme end of its cage, it was found i'm
possible to accomplish the desired object.
Thinking, no doubt, that Mr.. Manders
would feel much annoyed at the loss of
valuable animal under such circumstan-
ces, Lawrence opened the door of the
den and stepped in. Selling the hyena
by the nape of the neck with one hand,
the keeper courageously drew out the
bone from the animals throat with the
other hand and, as neither of the hye-
mas appeared to consider this invasion of
their den as impertinent, Lawrence has,
ever since, been in the habit of entering
the cage, and has even trained both the
hyenas to 60 through a variety Of per-
formances. While the managerie was at
Coggeshall, Essex, few days ago, Law
renee, as usual, entered the den, and, in
the presence of large number Of spec
tators, exhibited the hyenas.
After putting them through their ac-
customed exercises, Lawrence was about
to leave the cage, and turned his back
upon the hyenas in order to untasten the
spring of the door. While occupied in
doing this, one of the animals seized
Lawrence by the calf of his left leg the
other hyena attempted to get hold of his
thigh. Lawrence had onlya small cane
in his hand at the time, but one of the
spectators quickly handed to the keeper
thick stick, heavily loaded with leao
at one end. With this weapon Lawrence
belabored the animals, which, however
still held fast--the second hyena in tn,
meantime having seized the keeper
right leg. As may well be imagined, th'
circumstances caused panic among thu
spectators, who began to rush out of thu
menagerie.
/ Mr.. Manders, who was taking none.
at the door, seeing the visitors retreatins
in great alarm was soon in possession o
: the facts of the case, and he at once pre-
ceeded to Lawrence assistance. BY tn
time Mr.. Manders had pushed his wa
through the excited crowd, the hyena
had got the keeper down on the floor Q
the den, and had begun to worry tn
E poor fellow, who was now bleeding pre-
! fusely from his legs but luckily was III
hurt in both arms and hands. Mr.. MAJ
! ders shouted to Lawrence to use his site
freely and to "keep up his heart, tt
assistance was at hand. A tent pole Wa
E procured, at the end of which butcher
q knife was securely lashed, and this 70
midable instrument was inserted und'
f the locking bars of the den by Mr.. MAJ
ders. Watching his opportunity, th'
gentleman thrust the knife into the him
o quarters of one of the hyenas, which +
n leased its hold of Lawrence and rusht
IS to one corner of the den yelling hideou
J. ". Great caution had to be used, as,
e consequence of the critical condition
A. Lawrence, it was feared that he might
n wounded with the knife. AT length N
Manders succeeded in planting the bla
to of the weapon in the shoulder of the b
= ena which still had hold of the keep
es and that animal quickly followed
Nd companion into the corner of the d,
is, their united yclls being something t
IN rife. The door of the cage was tn
n opened, and Lawrence was quickly pull
in out, Mr.. Manders keeping the hyenas
.st bay with the knife during the operate
ed The keepers wounds were found to be
,e- of such serious nature as were ant
es- pated, and he is now progressing "
M favorably-English Paper.
ID.
hv A LIVE GORILLA Walker
mo- Fernand Vas, writes to DIR. Gray of
m. British Museum, that he has a fine h
EAR thy young male gorilla, which he he
m. may eventually reach the Zoolog
,at Gardens. He was caught by ma
ID. who suddenly came on whole famil
,ye father, mother and young one.
vo- mother, contrary to what might h
md been expected, abandoned her " bal
,ort and ran off. The father showed Fl
will rushing at the native open-mouthed,
hlv receiving stab in the side from 81
which cansed him to retreat a lit