The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-05-03

Didn't you hear me-" shouted the
trainer, following up his ADVANTAGE, adj
vancing step and swapping the whip
once more In the very face and eyes Of the
brute. "Here, forward" And to nv
intense relief, saw the lion leap into tbs
middle Of the arena. and l knew that his
mind ives then fully occupied with the
terro.s that would follow the disobedienee
to his master.
But while man-eating George had been
attracting my intense concentration Of
mind that villainous panther at my right
had crept down from the pedestal on
which he was seated and was stealth
lily approaching me from the rear. The
same warning voice from Mr.. O'Brien
called any attention to this, and I faced
about boldly, threw my body forward,
looked the brute squarely 10 the eye, and,
to his evident surprise, landed smart
blow upon his shriveled nose.
Good" shouted Mr.. O'Brien, in such
loud voice that the panther turned his
head, and as he did 90 landed another
vigorous blow upon his neck and should.
ers. This settled him, and, like
whipped cat, he skunk back to his ped
estsl. where he continued to hiss and
snarl.
was beginning now to feel very much
at home. My success In terrorizing tho
panther had encouraged me, and looked
about, rather hoping to have chance to
try my whip on Big George himself. But
the brute had finished his act and gone
to his corner with parting crack across
the nose from Professor Stalder. Thor.
oughiy cowed, he had evidently aban-
doned whatever intention he may have
had OF making meal Of the girl in Turk
ish trouserettes.
Feeling now quite at home and trife
disappointed that was to have no adj
venture with man-eating George, I stepped
up briskly to the big bear, and, tapping
him on the nose, as precautionary
measure, chucked HIM under the chin
and ran my hand over his shaggy fur.
He gazed at me with sort Of humorous
twinkle in his little brown eyes, and
was tempted TO put my arms around his
neck and hug him. In fact, l think
should have done this had it not been
thst another little act had Just been con-
cluded, and l saw prsncing towards me
the two spotted leopards, who. having
done their portion Of the exhibition, and
being released from their pedestals, had
evidently concluded to come over to my
corner Of the cage on a little trip Of in
spection.
1t may be that their intentions were en-.
tirely honorable and friendly, but they
were SO close upon me before saw them
that had no opportunity to make inquir-
les, and for my own protection assumed
that they we're advancing with no kindly
motive. therefore concluded 1t wise to
advance half step towards them, and a.
the nearest leopard came within reach
touched him on the nose with the butt Of
my whip.
/ could see from the expression on bis
face that this reception surprised him, for
he wheeled suddenly and darted of to-
ward Big George, brushing bis tail against
my silk pantalettes as he whisked by.
The other leopard came to a standstill,
looked at me with some curiosity and APP
prehension, but kept his nose out OF the
reach Of my whip, and called to him
boldly to advance.
He hesitated.
2aising my whip in one hand and
pointing my finger to the floor Of the cage
at my side, commanded with az steady
voice as l could control:
Come here, leopard"
Without further hesitation, and with
the corners Of his eyes fixed upon the up
lifted whip, that brute actually came to
me and curled himself up at my feet.
The whole thing struck me as 80 absolute
ly ridiculous that felt no more fear OF
him than / did Of the two German blood
hounds who were prancing about the
cage. Keeping my whip extended over
his head, l slowly knelt down beside the
leopard, patted him on his head and then
smoothed his beautiful spotted fur.
The novelty Of this situation and my
fatterisg success as an animal charmer
had by this time made me absolutely for
getful Of all fear. I was lost in wonder at
finding myself on such familiar terms
with the beautiful creature at my side,
and should probably in another moment
have Rugged that leopard. had not Pro-
lessor Stalder shouted the word Of COM
mand, which was unintelIigible to me,
but which to the animals meant that the
final grand closing spectacular act of tho
Performance was TO take place.
at this word. which have now forgot
ten, every animal leaped forward, rushed
to the big pyramid in the center OF the
cage and took his position. Not knowing
what else to do, followed on, and in
passing Big George, the lion, ran my
fingers through his shaggy name, took
one OF his paws which was on the floor Of
the cage and lifted it up to the pedestal
where 1t belonged. tapped him gently
on the nose with my whip, stepped out to
the front Of the cage, bowed to the audi
ence. and the performance was over.