Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-18
ADVENTURE WITH A LION.

with this king of quadrupeds in his ma
tive vviIds and solitudes. l speak now
simply from home experimentation
what 1 have seen of him in geological
gardens, travelling caravans and menag-
cries; but. judging from these posts OF
observation, 1 think l have formed a
toierabIy fair estimate of his character
and disposition. The story of the mouse
that nibbled the net, set the captive
monarch free, and earned the latter's
undying gratitude; with that of An
drocIes, picking out the thorn, and dis
covering an old friend years afterwards
in the fierce animal who had been COM
missioned to eat him. all very well,
and pretty and picturesque in their
way but these were evidently eXceP-
tionaIly good-natufed brutes. and
modern representatives of the genus"
would. 1 fear. have exhibited far less
scruple and made short work of both.
l have always, from a boy, liked to
stand within few inches (the bars be-
tween us) of one of these majestic Great
ures, and peer into those huge bronze
eyes. turned scornfully away with that
far-off look as though gazing into the
depths of distant forests. 1 was one
day thus interestingly engaged, when
young artist came. with crayons and
sketch-book. in the hope of getting u
good front view of our tawny friends
physiognomy and transferring it after
wards to canvas; but the latter, not in
mood to appreciate the compliment,
wheeled deliberately round and sat
down with his back to us. Getting tired
ofthe sulss, however, by and by he arose
and went to quench his thirst at the
trough. Nothing could be better"
cried the enraptured artist. Il wanted
to catch him at that" and he made Il
splendid picture with n few mastery
strokes of little bit of charcoal, held
lightly between his finger and thumb.
On another occasion 1 stood watching
a very large lion in the L. Geological
gardens. He had finished his dinner
and was lying half asleep in the front of
Che cage, with his paws crossed and n
huge welI-polished bone between them,
when a handsome young sailor ap-
preached. put his hand coolly through,
seized the drowsy captive by the name,
and shook him as one would a tame cat
The lion awoke quickly at the insult,
and darted forth a paw. but pulled the
-laring youth back by the collar just in
G1ne to save his arm. / shall not soon
forgct the rage of the angry beast be-
hind the bars, the lightning flash of his
eyes, and the roar he set up al not being
able TO redress the grievance.
Let me SOW shift the scene from Eng
land to a small settlement in upper
Canada, 100 miles more north of
Lake Ontario. and not far from one of
my old hunting grounds.
Hans Derrick. an enterprising show
man, by dint of infinite pains and per-
severance. had brought up his four car
avans of animals into the ''bush" on eH-
hitition- Being quite n new thing in
that out-of-the-way part of the world.
Derrick's collection drew numbers OF
people from the neighboring settle
ments, and there was full tent of en-
thusiastic spectators. a wild-beast per-
Torrance being promised as part OF
the show. Next to the elephant. who
claimed the largest share of popular
wonder and admiration, the lion
called Gen. Taylor" in compliment tC
that military hero who was then earn
ing laurels in Mexico-enjoyed a fail
amount of both. He was prodigious-
1y fine specimen, and, except now and
then, when something ruffied him (on
which occasion he thought nothing OF
eating a keeper or two). n beast of toll
erably amiable department and gentle
manly manners. L was subsequently
informed that he had bitten off the
head of a young girl who was supposed
to be a particular favorite of his. Der
rick. though detected a little anxiety
on his countenance at times, was able
to walk into his cage. caress Tim, ant
do other things that kept the onlook
ers' hearts in pleasing state of palpita
tion- Having gone through thes.
everyday feats. he now advanced, whiI
in hand. and invited any person pres
ent to accompany him into the del
md shake it's grim occupant by tn
pow
There was a dead silence. No on
moved
'-Win any gentleman come for
ward?" repeated Hans. gazing roun,
the sea of faces. THE general is il
good humor tonight and receives com
pany."
Still no one accepted his offer.
man got up from his seat. but sat dow
again suddenly. Two others did tn
same their wives Selling them bJ thei
jacket skirts
Derrick laughed scornfu1ly. WHAT
he cried. striking his boot with tn
light whip he held. Il see several 81,
fOot-and-a-half fellows among you. an