Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-06-09
A Most Exciting Scene.

A Most Exciting Scene.
From tho Milwaukee Wisconsin. June IL
On Saturday night Bailey & Co. 5 circus and
menagerie concluded its engagements in this
cty, and about O clock Sunday morning left
tor Watertowo. Those of our people who have
driven on this road know the very bad condi-
ton the road is in, and will not be surprised to
learn that one Of tho cages careened and fell in.
to the ditch by the side Of the road. The dri-
yer being thrown off struck stone by the
roadside, iujuring himself so badly that he let
90 his horses, who started, pulling the capsizea
cage with them, and dragging it over the rough
road The animals in the cage, lloneSs and
her whelps, awakened from their slumbers, set
ur terrific roar which frightened the horses,
increasing their already rapid speed. Fortu-
nately the horses broke from the wagon, before
much excitement, as it was learned, through
the scattered line, and the other teams closed
up to it, in order that the attendants might
render assistance. Upon attempting to lift the
wagon back to its place. it was found that the
cage of the lioness was broken, and the train
master ordered it let down again until the ta-
mer who had the cage in charge could be sent
for. In letting it down part Of the cage
caught the leg of one of the whelps, badly jam
ming it. Hitherto the lioness had paid
no attention to the men gathered about,
but when the whelp set up q cry OF
pain, the mother sprang up in anger
This set the whelp to uttering most plain
tive roars, when the rage of the older beast
became terrific 1t dashed to the whelp, be-
gan licking it, and at the same tine uttered
those loud roars which have made it so famous.
Becoming enraged at its treatment it dashed to
and fro in its narrow limits, throwing itself
with full force against the sides of the cage.
4 couple of lions in an adjoining apartment be-
came excited over the scene, and not only ad
ded to the confusion by their roars, but strove
to break down the barrier between the two
cages. The scene was one Of the most startling
imaginable. All the beasts in the capsized
cages we're yelling and striving to get out, while
those in vans which had halted near became
frightened, and were utterlng tokens OF alarm
in their peculiar manner. The horses, too, OF
all the vans, exhibited the utmost terror, re-
quiring the efforts of the drivers to look after
them.
AS soon as word came to the band wagon the
cames and elephants were urged forward, and
came up on quick trot. But no sooner had
the animals attached to the wagon come within
the sound Of the lions voices than they exhlb-
up its trunk and blew a terrific blast-a blast
that startled all-even those who had before
exhibited no signs of fear. Its keeper bravely
kept by it's side and attempted to quiet its
fears, but the massive animal was thoroughly
alarmed. It seemed to be insane, and it's yells
were full of agonized fear-flled with terror
The camels startled-some attempted to break
from their harness, while others fell down fiat,
all uttering peculiar cry. About this time
the lion tanner came up, and fastened to the
cage. The beasts had become SO excited now
that they scarcely noticed him, but made re-
doubled efforts,to get out into the open air
Had the tanner at this time lacked a courage
which seemed akin to utter recklessness, the
beasts would no doubt have succeeded in max
ing their escape. He went to the cage, and soon
discovered the cause of the fury of the mother.
He called the attendants of the teams to
his aid, but they were scarcely to be blamed
when they did not care to venture too near.
Two or three of them came, and with tie assls
tance of levers, separated the pieces OF the
cage so that the whelp extricated its foot The
mother, her suspense relieved with the re lease
Of the whelp, ceased her yells,. and again COM
menced licking the wounded foot. The other
lions seemed not entirely satisfied, and rather
to enjoy the confusion they Were creating.
hedCllDg through Tue VeuIudIUI, lllc lducl
struck one of them as heavy blow as he could
with short iron bar, which seemed to send
some reason into his head; and when the order
came for him to move, he and his companion
went into their own apartment, ceaslng their
howls, but keeping up low, indignant grow,
ling, like dogs The men came forward and
raised the wagon to its place, fastening up the
cage where it was broken, and the horses be-
iug attached, the team drove on.
While this was being done, it seemed as If
the band team would more than till the bill
which the lion family had attempted. Although
the sound of the lions voices could no longer
be heard its effect was left on the camels.
Their keeper had detached them from the car
riage, and had succeeded in getting them
few rods away. They now made no effort to
escape, but lay down painting through tear,
and apparently oblivious to everything around
them. The monster elephant, also detached,
seemed to be in quandary as to what he should
do He slashed his trunk against his side with
dull but loud 'sthud," and then raising it in
the air blew blasts upon it, before which all
the trumpets of band were as nothing; But
by soothing and coaxing he was at length qnie-
ted. and again attached to the wagon, Inc
camels we're aroused at length by kicks and
blows, and the strange animals moved on
trembling in every joint.