The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1872-07-05
IN THE LION'S MOUTH.


Fs:.rf., Aseidens TO Herr Lengei, tins
From the Milwaukee News
Herr Lengel has had successful ca.
reer as lion-tamer, and his skill and
bravery have carried him in safety
through many trying ordeal. He has
had good many "close speaks" but
the loudest call of all was made for him
at Portage City, on the afternoon Of
Tuesday last.
In starting with the Great Eastern
troupe last spring Herr Longel found one
cage Of lions which had never been tam
ed, and with which he determined TO
perform as with those which had long
been under his control. The cage con.
tanned two lionesses and one lion, and
during the single week which he had be-
fore the exhibition began, he devoted
what moments he could spare to their
training. Relying upon what he terms
ga gift of nature" he has no fear Of the
beasts when they are Gagged, and is best
pleased and most at home when he is
controlling the fierce passions of these
beasts of prey.
After little experience with the new
animals, Herr Lengel found that contra
ry to his usual experience, the male lion
was the most crafty and subtle of the
three with which he had to deal, and on
two occasions before the one at Portage
City he had detected this huge fellow in
The act Of sneaking up to seize his leg,
and he took hold of his boot, but a blow
from his masters club sent him back to
his corner.
1t was during the afternoon exhibi-
tion at Portage City, on Tuesday last,
that the most fearful of all his adventur-
's~ OCCURRED. The tamer was going
through iF,--,l uerfarsoanee ia. this
cage, with two men stationed outside with
huge iron rods between the bars of the
cage to assist, if necessary, in warding
off any attack which might be made
upon the daring man.
The lion, he confessed, had somewhat
puzzled him, as manifesting a different
nature from that Of any with which he had
dealt and for that reason he had kept hia
eye more vigilant than usual, if possible,
upon him; but at one point he was oblig-
ed to turn and face the two lionessess as
they passed him, leaving the lion to be
watched by the attendants. But that
afternoon the attendants were at the crit.
ical moment, diverted from the lion to
the man, and failed to sec the monster
sneak along the floor with evil eye The
audience were watching more closely,
and by some Of them the danger was
seen, and a cry Of alarm was raised, but
it was too late. The monsters jaws had
closed on the calf of Herr Lengcl's right
leg, and the teeth met, and Lengel fell
to the floor of the cage, an easy prey to
the three wild beasts. His club fell from
his hand as he fell, and was beyond his
reach; the moment was one Of terrible
suspense; the spectators were terrified,
and the two attendents were paralized at
the result of their carelessness. But
Lengers presence Of mind did not desert
him. The lion even in his rage, could
not forget the power Of his fallen antag-
onist, and loosened his hold for a mo-
ment, and before the lioness could gather
for an attack, he was ON his feet, and
with the blood streaming from his man
gled limb, seized his whip which he re-
tanned, and attacked his foe, lashing him
in a corner whittier he retrcated. Leay-
ing the cage Herr Lengel walked to his
dressing box, across the ring, where he
sank faint from the loss Of blood, His
wounds were examined, and it was found
that no bones were broken, but the
wounds were so large and deep that the
surgeon who dressed them probcd them
with his middle finger and failed to touch
the end.