The Cape Girardeau Democrat., 1896-07-18

COOIHeSo stlu SouldSe, L dlcSS stld
nodded
"Hurrah! hurrah, the young Eng
| lishman is going I'M" was the imme-
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 lashed his tail, stopping
ever and anon to look menacingly
through the bars.
Have n red-hot iron ready" whis-
pered Hans to tall and powerfulnegro,
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 I retired,
to walk slowly backwards while he
| CDerricll) 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
vcrely bitten and unprecedented an
| other, who was only rescued from his
| clutch by the application of kitchen
poker at a white heat thrust into his
flank.
l held up my hand to beg for quiet,
hut it was of no use; some of the men
scrambled over the benches and strode
| forward boisterously.
I did not feel encouraged by this
impudent display of interest in the
| proceedings, but l 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 I intended
to be friendly. $50, no, General. So ho,
old boy"
This was the easiest part of the bust
hess, and my reception (not having
been honored with an invite) was more
gracious than l had any right or reason
to expect.
"iIow do you feel, sir?" inquired
Hans. pretty calm and collected?"
"Oh, quite, thank YOU"
Ever presented before?"
"Only once that l am able to recol
lect."
"There's a claw for you!" holding it
up with an air of pride. 'Afind you
don't tread on it, for it would take
handsomcr apology than you could
offer to atone for the Offense."
Il will endeavor not to offend"
"Would you like to put your head il
the Generals month";"
Decidedly not, being urprovided
with spare one"
'Will you get on his back?'
81 should prefer taking a 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 bad set of masticators,
sir, are they?"
Very fine, indeed; and all his own, I
3resume?"
Just so,' laughing; she has not
troubled the dentist much that | am
aware Of"
The lion at this juncture of the dia-
logue gave me Il most malignant look.
Was he hurt at what was insinuating
about his teeth? And there was n sup
Observation-Disclosures rOarand rumbling
like thunder dying away among dis
tGnt hills.
Il was wrong" muttered Derrick,
with a slight hesitation in his manner,
'our friend is not in the best of tenn
pers tonight. l would rather YOU
didn't stay longer. He is displeased at
something. Retire steadily, with your
face toward us-steadily, mark you;
any sudden rush or show of haste, and
you are lost. He is forcing me back,
and means mischief. Ha! dare YOU
you brute"
This angry remonstrance was offered
20 the lion, and not to myself, for the
beast was glaring fiercely at me over
Hans arm and shoulder, and descriE-
ing unpleasant hieroglypics with the
Zip of his tail. Then came another series
of those internal rumblings that had
startled me before. / felt sorry that I
had made that disparaging remark
about the animals teeth; but it was too
late to withdraw it now. l reached the
door, and opened it. Derrick, gradually
yielding ground, forced nearly off his
legs, and appearing to have lost all his
presence of mind, could not do what he
intended, and saw that every instant
was precious. Making rapid, undigni-
fed exit, therefore, dragged him after
me with one hand, half by the hair and
half by the coat-collar, and with the
other slammed the gate, which fastened
with spring. had acted quite on the
impulse of the moment, and without
knowing much what 1 did; but it was
the right thing, l was told. The charge
of the infuriated general followed, and
the shock nearly sent the bars flying
from their sockets. Then Hans and
both sat down and laughed.
Not bad!" creid he, wringing my
hand. "Phew! it was warm work. Let
us go and take drink"
l hope l am not doing the good people
of k IN injustice, but judging frora
the vociferous plaudits 1 received from
sone and the amhipuoIlS trrenf inpS of