The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-07-08
WOMEN HAVE NERVE.
One OfThem Masters an Unruly
Lion with Both Muscle
and Looks.

One OfThem Masters an Unruly
Lion with Both Muscle
and Looks.
Few of those who saw Miss Johnston
at the evening performance at Hagen
becks knew that just a moment before
she appeared smiling in the arena she
had gone through an experience which
she will never forget. At the perform
ance of the animals she put lion
through an act which the animal rides
on the back of IL horse. The lion is
called Black Prince He is a big black
named animal aud of late he has devel
oped a temper. A week ago he made
a slash at Miss Johnston with his paw
and she narrowly escaped. Since that
time he has been getting worse and it
required a firm hand to make him 60
through his performance.
Late yesterday Black Prince came in
contact with another lion called Prince.
They immedia ely began to fight. For
thirty seconds it was battle royal. The
powerful brutes struck and bit each
other and it required the united force of
the trainers to separate them and get
each one into separate cage
The fight took place very few
minutes before Miss Johnstons turn
came to go on and give her performance.
There is door at the back OF the cages
and narrow passage way that leads
into the big cage in the centre of the
arena. 1t is the practice of the perfor-
mer to stand by the entrance while the
lions are let out and then to follow them
into the performing area AS usual
Miss Johnston WAS at her pos Il was
Just before the O'Clock performance,
and the light at the back of the cage
was dim.
Whe the door of the cage was opened
Black Prince sprung out with savage
roar When he saw Miss Johnston he
dangerous look in his eyes and changed
I the whip from her right hand to hel
left. An iron rod lay on the floor be
tween her and the angry lion. The
situation was trying. Black Prince
crouched ready Tor spring. AS he
lowered to the floor Miss Johnstoa bent
down and kept her eyes on the lion
Not word was spoken. cry would
have meant death to the imperilleC
woman. Slowly she advanced TOWARD
= the iron roc. Black Prince saw the
move aud knew what was coming. Jus
an instant before her fingers clutchet
the rod the lion sprang. But Mis-
, Johnston saw him coning and with a
D courage and GOODNESS that make heroe
she sprang close up against the wall il
the cage and the brute brushed past her
Before he could turn she had the ro(
in her band.
-, The baffied brute turned with
. savage roar and started for the woman
c This time, armed, she held her ground
The rod descended with a sounding blow
on the head of the brute. For fully two
,r minutes it was battle for supremacy
5 Miss Johnston won and driving The
o' brute into the arena, she followed anC
smiled to the audience, which applaudeC
4 her as though she had just stepped
he from her dressing room. Once onl.
Il during the performance did the lilo
show his temper. That was when hi
was ordered to leap from the pedesta
to the horses back. Miss Johnstol
was behind him and as he was stubborn
she struck him a light blow with thu
= whip. The lioned turned fcercely an
struck at her, and in doing so fell o.
but tho daring woman marched up t
him and made him COVER with look.