The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-10-26

n bounding HghtIy over tne4eAlehhFa Whlp
Thenhe gave his attention to the mother
lion, opened It's immense jaws, placed his
! arm thrust his head between them, raised
his fairy-like child upon its back, and made
it march around with her. Then. he prepar
ed to throw the two cages into. one.
4 DIET Inez come out pow,s whispered
The attendant. uneasily. "Yoo have done
enough already to keep your promise, and
the audience won't know The difference"
aNo; | viii go through. Mind what !
told you, and have things ready in case
there should be trouble, though ! don't
fancy any, Thenhe continued aloud, 50
- to be plainly heard by every sne, Hand
me the pail Of blood
A cold shiver,. supernatural awe, ap-
I.peared to pass through the. frame. of all,
as the vessel, dripping with.crinsond drops,
was given to him, and more than one ask
ed themselves if the man was mad to thus
not only risk his own life, bufS hat of his
beautiful child. And whea lie loosened
and thrust aside the partition, and the
fierce Eoness and sleek tiger came bound
ing in, their breath was absolutely suspend
ed, and their hearts momentariIy ceased
to beat.
aDown "a" )
The tiger obeyed, and the foot of the
Lion Tanner was upon his neck
s'Up!"
Aud the leopards were rnrrilagg Ike
greatcats upon his shoulders, while the
Eoness lay crouched with her tawny paws
thrust through the bars and growing sey.
erely.
"For merey's sake. let her alone,
whispered his attendant; "ana mind not
| kick over that pail If the blood should be
spilled, It woul be all over with you both !.
All the men in The world conIdn't save
you"
"stand ready, but keep still. The brute
shall mind
His child was sitting onthebacK Of the
lion, and smiling in that den Of horrors.
Her confidence in her father was sublime
was as perfect as her love. She never
dreamt offear when he was near to protect,
and while the lookers-on shaddeFed, she
innocently deemed it a pleasant pastime.
"Down!"
The leopardS leaped to either corner,
and croached down,
"Come n
Tie lioness grumbGngly arose, crawIed
suddenly to his feet, rose and laiG her
great claws upon his shoulders, making
him swerye with her weight, and raising
her terrible head upon level with his own.
Slowly and slowly they turned round as if
waltziug, the low mutterings Of the beast
becoming more plainly audible every mo
ment, and her yellow, feline eyes swapping
with hidden fires.
With an amazing exhibition ofStrength,
he wrestled with, tripped and threw her
from him, and the canvas tent rahg again,
But instantly she was upon her feet, lash
ing her SIDES with her prehensile tail,
drawing back her lips 50 as to show her
teeth, and uttcring the deepest and fereest
Of growls.
"For the love. Of mercy, hand out your
child, Joe, said his attendant.
"Wait a moment. shall be done. very
quickly
The -crowning feat was yet to come. IT.
was one upon which he had bestoyed much
time, and upon which he prided himself
was tableau of wild beasts, with manhood
and childish beauty for the central attrac-
tion
He stepped to the corner, led the mons
ter lion forth into. the centre of the cage,
made him lie down, placed the little girl
upon him, and stood astride. Then a.
shrill whistles brought the cheetah leop-
ards bounding upon his shoulders aud
standing up with paws crossed above his ]
head, and the black tiger erect upon his
left, and throttled with his.Aand. Butthe
Iiouess failed to do his bidding and take
her place upon his right. She lay in the
act Of springing, and at but a little dis
tance.
aComel7
There vas no movement, and the whip !
was raised aud fell heavily upon her head. !
That was all that was needed to awaken
her latentirer sad, with roar like that
given in her native forest, she sprahg with
almost resist1ess force towards him. A
sharp, singing blow on the bridge Of the
nose for d moment eowed her. and she
might have been conquered, had she not
partially fell upon and upset The pail and
delagetl the floor Of the cage u blood
Then all became the widest eommotion I
the most terrible aud savage sounds |
Every beast sssprang down, Tapped the
blood, and then turned upon hi1l. Even t