The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1893-03-22
VISITING A LION FARM.
5OW WILD ANIMALS ARE REARED
FOR THE MENAGERIES.

,estinc Place For Man in ATmor.
For the last 1000 years the seaports OF
northern Africa have been the principal
supply stations of the geological curloS-
7ty market During the palmy days OF
abe circus Maxmus the Roman procon-
sui in Hippo Regions had special instruc-
lions to supervise the weekly shipments
of wild beats, and our menagerie owners
still import a large percentage Of their
live stock from Oran and Algelers. The
latter city especially, has become rem
devious of international pet dealers, and
on nv last visit to Antwerp, Captain FL
lard, the travelling agent OF the famous
Harenbeck sale menagerie, gave me an
interesting account of lion kennel Ill
the neighborhood of the ancient capital
of the Algerian pirates.
In the arcades of the Palace Royale
and along the steamboat wharves Stran-
gers are troubled by the opportunities OF
beast dealers who bawl out the merits OF
their pets; and in the ardor of competi-
4ion will not hesitave to. thrust tame
monkey into the arms of possible pur-
chaser. At a tent near the piazza OF
French hotel Captain Ellard saw ma
five Arab with dozen young lions, val
rying in price from 10 to Is francs, bat
learning that the trader was merely
salesman of a wild beast farm in the out
skirts of Carbah the hill suburb OF Al
riers. he resolved to apply at headquar-
fers. knowing from experience that stock
breeders are apt to keep their best spec
linens at home.
The captains guide conducted him
through rubbish heaps and bramble
patches to an inclosed garden, which at
first might have been mistaken for one
of the numerous yesiras, or orchard
farms. in the neighborhood of the Al
geuan coast towns. But when they en-
tered the gate a young baboon leaped
down from the low stone wall and raced
seward his mother, who snatched him
slp in her arms and hurried off with
coughing barks Of alarm.
"PIease keep on this side ofthe road, "
said The guide. There's she jackal
with pups under that bush over yon3er
and she's very apt to fly at a stranger"
.sAny way you please. Is tha the
owner Of the place." pointing to an old
Arab, who was busy cleaning out bar
ed den-appaleaty asoatural cave fitted
up for the purpose Of a kennel.
Eyes, that's the sheikh; that's Ben
Koffa. said the guide, "he used to be
chief of little mountain, tribe, ont the
warruined them. He's all right now.
They can break up his present business
as long as the people Of FrankIstan buy
wood devils" (shaU-el-kamr-a generic
name for carniverons animals, or ever
mint as our tappers would cal them.)
The sheikh dropped his rake and wei
coined the captain, Who stepped back to
save his clothes from tvs baby lions
IN 1t had squeezed out of their cage and
began to play with his trousers.
Some half grown brethren of the
Young baboon had emerged from their
hiding place under the house and at
once proceeded to illustrate their pc
culiar talent by upsetting dish Of milk
before the old Arab could kick them cut
OF the way. Seeing one Of the young
lions help himself to the spilled milk,
they grabbed him by the tail AMI got their
faces scratched for their trouble, but in
Size ensuing scrimmage four pair Of fists
threatened b, prevail gainst two pairs Of
Immature claws. when the old lion9ss
in the cage rose up with mcnacing
growl that sent the i handlers scamper-
5ug of with screams Of djsmay. One Of
lae senior balloons then appeared on the
scene but vanished like a shot when the
shekh made q grab for his rake. The
captain burst ont laughing
You may believe it keeps me busy
TO seraighten out This mob Of rascals
said Jhe old Arab. .0ut in The long run
us the cheapest plan to give them as
much freedom as possible. They live
Just twice as long and are moi SO apt TO-
re baldheaded.with homesickness."
'.But suppose those yonng scamps
should run into a gang 81 j2clals,
would moi some Of them lie apt to get
badly hurt9'
i don't think they would, said the