Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-06-27

/
dience won't know the difference.
mo; ] will go through. Mind
what | told you, and have things
ready in case there should be
trouble, though don't fancy any
! Then he continued aloul ], So as to
be plainly heard by every one,
-"Hand me the pail Of blood"
A cold shiver, a supernatural
awe, appeared to pass through
the frame of all, as the vessel,
dripping with crimson drops, was
given to him, and more than one
asked themselves if the man was
mad to thus not only risk his own
lie, but that of his beautiful child.
And when he looseued and thrust
aside the partition, and the fierce
lioness and sleek tiger came
bounding in, their breath was alb
solntely suspended, and their
hearts momentsrily ceased to
beat.
"Down!"
The tiger obeyed. and the foot
of the lion tanner was upon hia
neck.
"Upl"
And the leopards were purring
like great cats upon bis shoulders,
while the lioness lay crouched with
her tawny paws thrust through
the bars and growling severely.
"For mercy's sake, let her
alone" whispered his attendant;
"and mind not kick over that
pail. IF the blood should be
spilled, it would be all over with
you both. All the men in the
world couldn't save you.
"Stand ready, but keep still
The brute shall mind"
/ His child was sitting on the
back of thelion, and smiling in that
den of horrors. Her confidence
in her father was sublime-was
as perfect as her love. She never
dreamt of fear when he was neal
to protect, and while the lockers
on shuddsed, she innocently
deemed ii pleasant pastlme.
"Down!"
The lcopards leaped to either
corner, and crouched down.
"Come!"
The lioness grumblingly arose,
crawled suddenly to his feet, rose
and laid her great claws upon bis
shoulders, making him swervt
with her weight, ,and raised her ter
rible head upon a level with bis
own. Slowly and slowly they
turned round as ii waltzlng, the
low mutteri1gs of the beast becom
ing more plainly audible every
moment, and her yellow, feline
eyes snapped withe hidden fires
With an amazing exhibition Of
strength be wrestled with, trip
ped and threw her from him, and
the canvas tent rang again. But
instantly she was upon her feet
lashing her sides with her prehen
siIe tail, drawing back her lips Sc
as to show her teeth, and utterlne
the deepest and fiercest OF howls
"For the love of mercy, lant
out your child, joe, said his at
tendant.
"Wait moment. | sLall bf
done very quickly"
The browning feat was yet t.
come. It was one upon which
be had prided himsslf--was a TAB
leau of wild beasts, with maa.
Lood and childish beauty for th'
central attraction.
He stepped to the corner, led
, the monster lion forth into tht
center Of the cage, and made
him lie down, placed the littl'
girl upon him and stood astride
: Then shrilI whistle brough
the cheetah leopards bounding
upon his shoulders and stand
, ing up with paws crossed abov'
!, his head, the black tiger cree
! upon his left, and throttlet
: with his hand. But the iones
: failed to do his his bidding an
) take her place upon his right
She lay in the act of springing
E and at but little distance.
"Come."
a There was a movement, ant
!, the whip was raised and teI
heavily upon her head. Tha
o was all that was needed to ava
ken her latent ire, aud, with
o roar like that given in her ni
!. tive forest, she sprang with a
: mostresistless force toward hin
3 A sharp, singing blow on til
0 bridge of the nose for a momel
!. cowod her, and she might hay
: been conquered had she not pa
: tally fell upon and upset II
j pail and deluged the floor of ii
S cage in blood !
$ Then all became the wilde'
y commotion-the most terrlb
and savage sounds. Ever
J. beast sprang down and lappe
!. the blood, and then turned upe
), him. Even the veteran lion Al
|. peared to forget the long yea
}. of training, and something {
e his young forest life blazed fort
e Amberly comprehended {