The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-30
BIRNUM,s sERPrNTs.
Mr.. STAIRS Prodieious Narration OF Events
In Giimore's Garden.


Happening into Barnums yesterday, a
reporter for The Sun was told that the Rajah
Hagar. whose duty 1t Ia twice a day. at the con-
cluson OF afternoon and evening performances.
to wind himself all up in torpid snakes had
been choked to that extent by boa constructor.
which had in measure lapsed from his tor
pidity. that he had well nigh died.
Tho poor Raiah Hagari" Mr.. Starr. the
press agent said with sigh; his golden bowl
was almost broken. Come and see the snakes"
Twenty bons and onacondas slumbered in n
glass-fronted cage among the folds of pair Of
blankets The largest was rs big around as
THE cold" said Mr. Starr. makes them
torpid. The Rajeh Hagar likes TO have them
moderately torpid. but II they get too cold they
die. Beneath the cage. in that compartment
from which rises through perforations in the
floor. Tho blankets also ARE provided to afford
don Biological Gardens. in Regent Park. great
difficulty was experienced In the preservation
Of blankets from the voracty Of the reptiles.
for whose comfort they were, intended. boa
or an anaconda Of even small diameter would.
with the utmost facility and with seeming pleas
ure swallow horse blanket of the largest size.
But you will notice that to each one Of these
blankets II attached a stout iron chain. where
BY II is fast secured to the solid woodwork OF
vision. BY means, Of II a blanket can always be
recovered. These blankets are swallowed every
night, but the Raiah Hagnr draws them all out
the narrow escape Of the Rajah HaRar. The
boa that wound itself about his throat was a
serpent Of the size Of the largest you see there.
He contracted his deadly coil more and more.
The poor. Rajah's eyes started from their
sockets. 1t was favorite boa. but we were
TS wSs Co XII Two b By the RSn
allow me to Introduce Prof. Felix Mcdonald,
Looking at the snakes2r said the Professor.
:" One Of EN- died last night Sometimes they
sicken and drop on Old age pet
that is not the way thir boa constructor died.
He was cut in two. l was lust telling this gen
tleman, who is a reporter. how the Ralah Ha-
gar. being ell.niRh choked by the aroused rep
tile. was saved by-by another party
cut the snake in two. said the lion tanner.
STOPPING 70 pick up 2 straw; I'm used to
You will observe" said Mr.. Starr. that
mounted ions claws. The Professor has
mingled with lions In their cruelest and most
dangerous moods; He has. ON his scalp. and in
than there are days in the year. all inflicted by
lions. He once slew lion by a. single stroke OF
an iron bar. after the Infatuated beast had torn
all the tendons out OF his 1.-THE Professor'sl right
leg. refusing loaded pistol which his distracted
wife was bearing toward the cage. and nsistn g
should be removed. But win now show ' you
the snake that-Oho! Permit me TO Introduce
to.y1p Mr., Fish \ the ehnwpi9rnT bareback rider.
the snakes One OF ,em died last night OF old
What. cried Mr.. Starr. :" is 1t possible that
YOU haven't heard OF the narrow escape OF our
Rstah Hagar. who last night was coiled about in
deadly embrace by that anaconda that you say
died OF old age. but that In reality was cut In two
Just in the nick Of time as the RAahs eyes
were starting from his head. by the Professor
here2"
II cut him in two." said Mr.. Mcdonald,
quietly.
This 10 a reporter" said Mr.. Starr.
Why. 10 be surel" cried Mr. Fish. whrling
part way. about and swapping his finger with n
look OF the greatest irritation. How strange
that should have forgotten all about II, The
Rajah. poor fellow. IL at this moment lying In
his bed In highly dangerous condition"
No" returned Mr.. Starr, as at this moment
young man clad in an Oriental turban and
Powered robes approached and. opening the
door OF tho cage. bounded In among the snakes.
he recovered very miraculousy II short time
ago. and. IA you see. Is now here again, attend
ing to his profession. absolutely undeterred by
the tremendous danger which he so narrowly
escaped. But will show you the snake with
out further delay" continued Mr.. Starr TO the
reporter. Where is IL. Professor1"
cut II in two" returned Mr.. Mcdonald q
little doubtfully.
the pieces p
Oh on" said A. the lion tanner Il sent them to
Thus. while Andrews stuffed the boa. did Mr.
Barnum's veracious taxidermists perform a
like operation upon the reporter.