The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1878-01-17

then he withdrew, and descended the
steps which led to the lions pit.
The crowd WAS silent. At the
end of some seconds, the barred
and gave entrance, not to the brave and
powerful Hercules, but to a poor dog
that was thrown toward the ferocious
beast with the intention of still more ex-
citing its ravenous appetite. This I'M
expected act of cruelty drew misses from
the spectators, but they were soon alb
sorbed in watching the behavior of the
dog. When the lion saw the prey that
had been thrown 20 him, he stood mo-
tlonless for moment; ceased to beat his
tanks with his tail, growled deeply, and
crouched on the ground, with his paws
extended, his neck stretched out, and
his eyes fixed upon the victim.
The dog, on being thrown into the
pit, ran at once toward a corner Of the
! wall, as far as possible from the lion,
and, trembling, yet not overcome by
fear, fixed his eyes on the huge beast,
watching, anxiously but intently, his
every motion.
With apparent unconcern, the lion
creeplngly advanced toward the dog,
and then, with a sudden movement, he
was upon his feet, and in a second
launched himself into the air But the
dog that same instant bounded in an
opposite direction, so that the lion fell
in the corner, while the dog aighted
where the lion had been.
For a moment the lion seemed very
much surprised at the loss of his
prey; with the dog, the instinct of
self-preservation developed a GOODNESS
that even overcame his terror. The
body of the poor animal was all in
shiver, but his head was firm, his eyes
were watchful. Without losing sight of
his enemy, he slowly retreated into the
corner behind him.
Then the lion, scanning his victim
from the corners of his eyes. walked
sideways few steps, and, turning sud-
denly, tried again to pounce with one
bound upon the dog; but the latter
SO, and, in the came second, jumped in
the opposite direction, as before, cross
ing the lion in the air.
At this the lion became furious, and
lost the calmness that might have insured
unfortunate dog won fer him the sym
pathy of all the spectators.
AS the lion, excited and terrible, was
preparing new plan of attack, rope
ending in loop was lowered to the dog.
The brave little animal, whose implor-
ing looks had been pitiful to look upon,
saw the help sent to him, and, fastening
his teeth and claws into the rope, was
immediately drawn up. The lion, per-
celvlng this, MADE a prodigious leap,
but the dog was happily beyond his
reach. The poor creature, drawn in
safety to the terrace, at once took flight.
and was soon lost to view.
AT the moment when the lion threw
himself on the ground of the pit, roar
ing with rage at the escare of his
prey, the Sicilian entered, calm and
firm, superb in his brilliant costume,
and with his club in his hand.
At his appearance in the pit, q silence
like death came over the crowd of
spectators. The Hercules walked rapid
ly toward corner, and, leaning
upon his club, awaited the on,
slaught of the lion, who, blinded by
fury, had not yet perceived his entrance.
The waiting was of short duration, for
the lion. in turning, espied him, and the
fire that flashed from the eyes of the
terrible beast told of savage Joy in find
ing another victim.
Here, however, the animal showed for
moment q feeling of anxiety; slowly, as
If conscious that he was in the presence
of a powerful adversary, he retreated
some steps, keeping his fiery eyes
all the time on the mau. The
Sicilian also kept his keen gaze
on the lion, and, with his body slightly
inclined forward, marked every altera-
ton of position. Between the two adj
versarles, 1t was easy to see that fear was
on the side of the beast, but, in compar-
ing the feeble means of the mana rude
club-with the powerful structure of
the lion, whose boundings made the
very ground beneath him tremble. if
was hard for the spectators to believe
that courage, and not strength. would
win the victory.
The lion was too excited and famished
to remain long undecided. After more
backward steps, which he made as if
gaming time for reflection. he suddenly
advanced in a sidelong direction in order
TO charge upon his adversary.
The Sicilian did not move. but fol-
lowed with his fixed gaze the motions
OF the lion. Greatly irritated. The
beast gave a mighty spring, uttering
a terrible roar the man, at the same
moment, leaped aside, and the lion had
barely touched the ground, when the
club came down upon his head with
duh, shocking thud. The king of the
desert rolled heavily under the stroke.
and fell headiong, stunned and sense
less. but not dead.
The spectators, overcome with admit
ration, and awed at the exhibition of so
much calmness, address and strength.
were hushed into profound silence. The
next moment, the Bey arose, and, with
gesture of his hand, asked mercy for
his favorite lion.
;" A thousand ducats the more il YOU
VIII not kill him !' he cried to the Sicil-
Ian. Agreed y was the instant reply.
The hon lay painting on the ground.
The Hercules bowed at the word of the
Bey, and slowly withdrew, still keeping
ms eyes on the conquered brute. The
1000 ducats were counted out and paid
The hon shortly recovered.
With universal gasp of relief. fol-
lowed by deafening shouts and cheers.
the spectators withdrew from the ter
race, having witnesseda scene they could
never forget, and which, as l said at the
beginning, is still talked OF in Tunis.-
Iptde-1aUGke.
Operations of Our Western Hints,