The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-09
MAN AND BEAST ROLLED TOGETHER
ON THE FLOOR"

"MAN AND BEAST ROLLED TOGETHER
ON THE FLOOR"
with them. But the first night it falls to
my lot to enter one of the other cages. where
| Pm not at all so sure of my ground, and
have TO watch every twist of the tail every
blink of the eye it will be quite different
matter then. That's the reason don't feel
easy in my mind about the panther. And
do you know, Mark" he added, pulling
his companion up suddenly, it's "a queer
idea but when watch that creature prowl-
ing about his cage, it almost seems to me as
if the woman had bewitched him. They
both appear to regard me with the same
deadly enmity; he looks at me exactly as
she does"
Peter" said his friend sententiously,
"you're not yourself, old msn. You let this
thing prey upon your mind too much. What
you want IS good stiff dose of brandy. That
will spirit you up, I'll be bound. So come
| along, and III administer the remedy"
The two men disappeared through the
darkness, and did not return until they had
to push their way through the surging crowd
that swarmed around the tents. The band
had already struck up; and, thrilled by its
strains, the people fought desperately for
tickets. Excitement and expectation were
in the air; Stedman's grand show was about
to display its many attractions.
Farrelli parted from his friend, and each
brancEed off to their respective tents. The
circus took the lead in the entertainment /;
but the moment it was over there was a rush
for the menagerie. The crowd seemed to
think that the best part of the performance
was yet to come; for lions, tigers and byenas
were not'seen every day in Littlethorpe.
The spacious tent was crammed to Its ut
most extent The dromedary came in for a
good deal of attention, and the wiley ele-
phant Jared sumptuously upon Biscuits and
cakes. The greedy little eyes of the mon
keys cleaned with delight at the many
hands stretched out with nuts, while the
brown bear deyoured buns with beftting
solemnity.
In the midst of the merriment there was q
sudden lull, the crowd began to sway and
surge forward toward the rope which was
stretched across the further end OF the tent.
All eyes were turned expeetantly in the
direction of the lions. Signor Farrelli ap-
peared upon the scene, his tight-fitting cos
tune displaying to advantage his massive
chest and the great swelling muscles of his
powerful limbs.
He shot a keen, searching glance through
the crowd in front; and then, with iaunty
air, stepped briskly into the cage. He was
greeted with a roar that shook the tent, and
made the spectators feel they were getting
good value for their money. The lashing
and scramble commenced; the lions growled
and sulked, but Farrelli drove them round
with his whip, and sent them backwards and
forwards through the hoops. The burning
of red lights and flashing of firearms followed,
at the conclusion of which the tanner emerged
triumphaptly from the cage.
The event of the evening was now about
to take place. The spectators were prepared
for something with strong dash of danger
in it; something that could be talked over
with wonder and admiration for months
afterward.
The manager mounted stool, and, with a
hand on each hip, proceeded to announce:
Ladies and gentlemen, Signor Farrelli
will now perform a feat of daring hitherto
uninterrupted by any tanner in Europe or
America. In the cage 10 the left you see
specimen of the fierce black panther, or
iaguar, an animal which, in its native state,
roams the tangled forests of South America
in search of its prey. Signor FarrelIi will
enter the panther's cage in your presence,
and thereby demonstrate the dominion
which man is capable of exercising over the
most ferocious of the brute creation"
The assembly cheered; Signor Farrelh
bowed. He whispered few words to the
manager, and moved away towards the cage.
The panther was prowling up and down,
watching the crowd with sort of wondering
interest. AS Farrelli approached, the beast
paused in the midst of q stride. and glared at
him defantly. The tanner mounted the steps
fearlessly, the spring lock OF the wicket
clicked, and the next second he had slipped
into the cage.
With savage grOwl the panther whisked
round and crouched against the opposite
wall At one side stood the man, erect,
motionless, undanted, In the full conscious
ness of bis mighty strength and indomitable
will; at the other the infuriated beast
covered, its body quiveriDg with rage, the
small ears laid Hat with the head, and the
tail Tapping against the floor.
The spectators kept perfectly still, and
looked on with bated breath. 1t almost
seemed as if sound-a motiOn-would
break the spell which held man and beast
apart. The tension was so great that even a
stified exclamation might cause 1T TO snap
Suddenly there was slight movement in
the center of the crowd, AMI woman pushed
her way to the front. Those who were
closest to the cage saw strange look appear
at that instant upon FarrelIls facei he grew
deatbly pale; his features tvitehed con-
vulsively. and for one-half second his eyes
were withdrawn from his enemy. 1t was
enough! The spell was broken; with
terrific roar the panther shot into the air!
Farrelii saw it coming; saw the great jaws
extended, and the gleam of the fierce white
teeth. On the spur of the moment he
thrust his left hand into the gaping mouth,
while with his right he gripped the brute by
the throat. The panther struck him full on
the chest, the savage claws were dug into his
flesh; then, with a crash, man and beast
went down, and rolled together ON the floor.
A Ashudder ran through the Mortified crowd
the women screamed and tainted; the men
pressed forward toward the rsspes, wiEb " hlte,
agitated faces. as IL fascinated by that deadly
encounter. Two attendants CAME running