The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-06-29
MacOmO and His Liens.

A Paris correspondent of the Boston Adver-
tiser tells the following good story about the
fine lions of the Porte st. Martin: An exhibi-
ton which will be OF unusual interest is already
near completion. In a vacant lot situated be-
tween the Hipprodrome and the Champs de
Mars. menagerie-such as has never been
seen in Europe-is to be open during the next
three months. 1t will undoubtedly be curious
and interesting. but doubt If the Capture of
any one of its animals has such history as the
lions about to appear at the Porte Saint Martin
Theatre. 1 am indebted to NJ d'Ennery, one
OF the authors of the "rour du Monde" for the
following particulars: These superb animals
have never formed part of any menagerie, and
have retained all their terrible savageness. 1t
is hunter, and not trainer, who acccmpa-
nies them. Macomo, large, powerful negro
OF Central Africa, made himself master of these
superb animals in the following manner: He
had been informed of the nightly presence of a
lion in his nei2hborhood He lost no time in
arming himself with long cutlass, and, drag
ging young OK after him, arrived at the ap-
pointed place. AT the usual hour his majesty
appeared. The moon was at its full and the
strange trio saw one another as In broad dav
Inc lion gave utterance to a deep, significant
growl, looked from the man to the OK, and
perfectly quiet for an instant, then suddenly
plunging his cutlass into the OK he raised him
IN bis vigorous arms and threw him at the
lions feet The wild beast made a bound,
sprang upon the bleeding body, caressing it for
moment as cat does mouse, and then,
giving expression to stihed growls of joy, he
drank the blood and crushed the bones And
Macomo, what was he doing all this time?
Seated quietly few steps from his guest, he
opened little sack, from which he took a bit
of corn bread and dry figs, and began his own
frugal repast When his hanger began to be
satisfied, the lion raised his head and
looked at the man. Their eyes met
Those of the lion were filled with sur
prise. Those of the man were calm and spil-
ing. The lion returned to his supper. When
he was completely satisfied he rose; Macomo
did likewise. The lion made three or four
steps toward Macomo, who remained notion
was but partially devoured, his eyes seemed to
say, "rhis belongs to me-" Macomo bowed.
A last glance, friendly this time, and the lion
quietly went his way, leaving Macomo to return
to his home: On the following evening at the
same hour, the African returned to the place
of meeting, where the half-devoured carcass
still lay and shortly afterward the lion made
his appearance, but not alone this time. As
the hunter had foreseen, he was accompanied
by family and friends. They were four ia
number, two lions, lioness and lions whelps.
The repast was served, but not as on the preyi-
GUS evening, in the open air. Msoomo had built
an arbor covered with vines, banana and palm
leaves, and into this pretty dining-room,
his guests entered fearlessly. Then
S;sg crawling nOislessly within auotos reach Of
four lions suddenly found themselves impris-
oned in strong iron cage, whose bars had been
hidden beneath green leaves Friends were
near at hand to aid in removing the four lions
upon cart. and they were about to commence
their work when they perceived new lioness,
crouohed down upon the sand aud licking her
ms hatWaaD ha irNp haas TAo. kl.o
raised the cage upon the cart, she looked at
them beseechingly, and when they all marched
on she followed at a short distance with droop-
ing head and fearful eyes. And thus it Is that
we have five lions instead of four at the Thea
ter Porte Saint Martin, five terrible, ferocous
beasts, ready to revolt at any moment and
although Mscomo enters their cage and domin-
ates them to certain extent, they have not
forgiven him for having taken advantage of
their confidence in him, and would ask nothing
better than to treat him as Lucas was treated
by his seven lions in the last days of the old
Hippodrome-simply tear him to pieces.