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

low me
Nettled at this challenge, which ]
regarded as a reflection On the British
GOODNESS and courage, L arose and
nodded.
~Hurrahi hurrahi the young Eng
1ishman is going int was the imn1e-
diate cry, and the shouts and clapping
of hands and stamping served to ex-
cite the lion, who walked up and down
his cage and dashed his tail, stopping
ever and anon to look menacingly
through the bars.
"Have a red-hot iron ready" whis-
pered Hans to tall and powerful negro.
who was one of his staff.
regarded this ''aside" as a test for
my nerves, but learned afterwards that
Derrick was not joking, the Generals
temper being often extremely uncer-
tain.
Hans now entered the long caravan,
desiring me to follow and close the
door behind me; to keep my eye stead
lily on Taylor" and when / retired,
to walk slowly backwards while he
| (Derricll) covered my retreat. He then
gave the general a smart cut or two
| with his whip-for which playful piece
| of chastisement was certainly not able
| to appreciate the exact necessity at
| this critical moment.
The people in the circus nearly all
| leaped to their feet as word went round
| that the General had been the death
| of two of his valets-de-chambre, and Sc
verely bitten and unprecedented an
other, who was only rescued from his
clutch by the application of a kitchen
poker at a white heat thrust into his
| flank.
1 held up my hand to beg for quiet,
but it was of no use; some of the men
| scrambled over the benches and STROBE
| forward boisterously.
| 1 did not feel encouraged by this
impudent display of interest in the
| proceedings, but I knew that it was
| best to put a bold front on matters;
and walking steadily forward, placed
my hand upon the gigantic beasts
| shoulder, smoothing down his name at
the same time in a way that intended
to be friendly. $50, no, General! So no,
| old boy"
This was the easiest part of the bust
ness, and my reception (not having
been honored with an invite) wasmore
| gracious than 1 had any right or reason
to expect.
''How do you feel, sir?" inquired
Hans. pretty calm and collected ?"
"Oh, quite, thank you"
ever presented before?''
"Only once that am able to recol-
lect"
"There's claw for you!" holding ii
up with an air of pride. mind you
don't tread on it, for it would take a
handso1ner apology than you could
offer to atone for the offense."
81 will endeavor not to offend"
would you like to put your head in
the Generals mouth"
4
with n spare one"
evil you get on his bacll?"
az should prefer taking few riding
lessons first. Will you oblige me by
keeping that whip of yours quiet"
''Well, yes. Open your jaws, General
and show the gentleman your box OF
worries. Not a bad set of masticators
sir, are they?"
Every fine. indeed; and all his own,
presumed"
"Just So" laughing; she has no
troubled the dentist much that I an
aware Of"
The lion at this juncture of the dia
logue gave me most malignant look
Was he hurt at what L was insinuatins
about his teeth? And there was a sup
, pressed ventriloquial roar and rum bling
/ like thunder dying away among dis
/ tnnt hills.
81 was wrong" muttered Derrick
5 with a slight hesitation in his manner
, ''our friend is not in the best of tenn
pers tonight. 1 would rather yol
didn't stay longer. He is displeased a
r something. Retire steadily, with you
face toward us-steadily, mark you
{ any sudden rush or show of haste, ant
you are lost. He is forcing me back
: and means mischief. Ha! dare you
: you brute!"
: This angry remonstrance was offere
to the lion, and not to myself, for tn
4 | beast was glaring fercely at me owe
| Hans arm and shoulder, and descrit
ing unpleasant hieroglypics with TIL
: Tip of his tail. Then came another serie
: of those internal rumblings that ha
= startled me before. 1 felt sorry that
f had made that disparaging remar
0 about the animals teeth; but it was to
T late to withdraw it now. 1 reached tn
: door, and opened it. Derrick, gradual
o Welding ground, forced nearly off h
= legs, and appearing to have lost all b
+ presence of mind, could not do what b
: intended, and saw that every instaT
d was precious. Making a rapid, undign
n fed exit. therefore, dragged him afte
# me with one hand, half by the hair an
l. half by the coat-collar, and with til
= other slammed the gate, which fastene
v with n spring. / had acted quite ON IN
Q impulse of the moment. and withot
d knowing much what 1 did; but it wa
: the right thing, was told. The chare