The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-07-03
A Remarkable Lion Story.

Paris Correspondence of Boston AdyerfiSerl
An exhibition which will be of unusual,
interest is already near completion. In a
vacant lot, situated between the Hippodrome
and the Champs de Mars, mensgerie-such
as has never been seen in Europe-is 10 be
open during the next three months. 1t will
undoubtedly be curious and interesting but
l doubt if the capture OF any one of its ami
mails has such history as the lions about to
appear at the Porte Saint Martin theater.
am indebted to NJ. d'Ennery, one of the au-
thors of The Tour du Monde, for the follow
ing particulars: These superb animals have
never formed part of any menagerie, and
have retained all their terrible savagenesn>y
1t is hunter, and not a trainer, who sc(
companies them. Macomo large, power-y
full negro of Central Africa made himself
master of these beautiful animals in the
following manner: He had been informed 4
of the nightly presence of lion in his neigh
borhOod He lost no time in arming himself
with long cutlass, and dragging young
OK after him, arrived at the appointed place.
At the usual hour his majesty appear
ed The moon was at its full. and the
strange trio saw one another as in broad day.
The lion gave utterance to deep, significant
growl, looked from the mau to the OK and
iourished his great tail. Macomo remained<
perfectly quiet for an instant, then suddenly
plunging his cutlass into the OK, he TaIsed
him in mis- vigorous arms and threw him at
Il
sprang upon the bleeding body, carTessing il
for a moment as a cat does amouse, and then
giving expression to stified growls of Joy, he
drank the blood and crashed the bones And
Macomo-what was he doing all this time?
Seated quietly a few steps from his guest. he
opened a little sack, from which he took a
bit of corn bread and dry figs, and began
his own frugal repast. When his hunger
began to be satisfied, the lion raised his head
and looked at the man. Their eyes met.
Those of the lion were filled with surprise.
Those of the man were calm and smiling.
The lioned returned to his supper. When
he was completely satisfied he rose. Ma
como did likewise. The lion made three
four steps toward Macomo, who RENAME
motionless and looking once more at his OK
which was but partially devoured his eN6s
seemed to say: This belongs to M
Macoma bowed. A last glance
friendly. this time, and the lion quietly wen
on his way, leaving Macomo to return totll
home. On the following evening, at
same hour. the African returned 10 the pla
of meeting where the half devoured card
still lay. and shortly afterward the lion q
his appearance, but not alone this time.
the hunter had foreseen, he came aca
panied by family and friends. They,
four in number-two lions a lioness
lions whelps. The repast was served
not as on the previous evening in the
air. Macomo had built an arbor, cow
with vines, banana and palm leaves, and id
this pretty dining room his guests enter
feariesSly. Then crawling Doiselessly with
reach of a hidden spring Macomo tOuchs
it, and his four lions suddenly found they
selves imprisoned in a strong iron cage VIII
bars had been hidden beneath green leaya
Friends were near at hand to aid in rem
ing the four lions upon cart and they
about to commence their work when
perceived new lioness crouched down
the sand, and licking her whelps betw
the iron bars. When the men raised
cage upon the cart she looked at theni
seechingly, and when they all marcf
on she followed at a short distan|
with dropping head and fearful eyes.
thus it is that we have five lions inste
four at the theater Porte SAINT Martini
terrible, ferocious beasts, ready to rev
any moment; and although Macomo "a
their cage, and dominates them to a cert
extent, they have not forgiven him for ha
ing taken advantage of their confidence
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.