The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-11
SWALLOWED THE YOUNG LION.
Tho Snake Hsa to ne KILLED BEFORE the Cub
Could ne Rescued.
From the Kansas CITY Journal.

From the Kansas CITY Journal.
mckinley" n cub lion, was doing beside
the stove In the winter quarters Of Lemon
Brothers Circus, in Argentine, the other morn
ing. Around tho room were the animal cages
containing tho 1.-the creatures of the Jungle
placidly passing the time away for the circus
season to open. Not far from the little sleeping
lion cub stood several large boxes Of snakes,
which have to be kept near the stove to prevent
the reptiles from freezing. There was not a hui
man being In tho room. 1t was as still as death.
Suddenly the head of a largo South American
boa constructor appeared above one Of tho boxes.
1t rose slowly up into the air until about two
feet of Its body was in sight. Its evil little eyes
sparkled, and It twisted It's head and looked
around the room until It beheld the sleeping cub.
Then its head dropped over tho side of the box
ana began moving across tho floor. 1t was n
monster reptile. and it moved cautiously and
with its Dyes still fastened on Mckinley. The
snake moved up to within u few feet Of tho lion
cub. when 1t paused. The cubs tail was closest
to the snake. 1t glided closer yet, and then drew
tho tail into its mouth. As tho tail dis
appeared the snake drew closer and closer to the
cubs body. and then with n wide spreading Of
its jaws " took in tho entire headquarters of the
cub. Mckinley awoke and began to cry In a
plaintiye voice. Swiftly its body disappeared,
the walls of her offspring, and looking between
the bars of her, cage comprehended the situation
at a glance. She sprang to the bars and let out
a roar that brought every animal in every cage
TO is feet, and pandemonium broke loose. The
mother roared necessarily. while the lions
and soon the elephants began to trumpet.
Only Mckinley was silent. All of his body had
part OF his head and his front paws. There was
a se,f-satistied look on the snakes face. The tur-
m MOL Of the animals reached the circus attaches
scene. They comprehendcd matters at n glance.
One OF them ran to the elephants. while Juggling
iron prod quieted them. Others tried to extri.
cate Mckinley: The snake, like a miserable
and held. Then the men caught Mckinley BY
the paws and other men held the snake and they
all %aI pulled led together .'sstn Mckinley u STAYED where he
Occasionally a little more Of him slipped inside.
Matters were approaching a crisis. II was either
sultation was held. and It was decided TO sacri-
nee the South American native, Knives were
the blades penetrated it's flesh it seemed to
realize Its position; and struggled with its cap
tors. the mm,e finally falling upon it and holding
II did not take long to sever the body, and they
then tried to pull the cub through. but II stuck
could DO released then Mckinley was taken
out: He was nearer dead than alive.
The snake was one that had been with the
show for many years. Tho cub is one Of the
twins born Just prior to the last election. Being
born in captivity and an exceptionally fine speci-
men he was highly priced. Last November. Just
prior to the election, one of the lions gave birth
TO two whelps. Both were males, and In keep
ing with the spirit OF the times. one was named
Bryan, the other Mckinley. Just before cleo
ton the cub called Bryan sickened and dice.
Mckinley. on the contrary grew sleek ana fat,
and met with no mishap until the escapade OF
yesterday.
Last night after tho attendants had given Nc
kinloy q bath and a careful rubbing, he appeared
to be quite recovered from the squeezing process
he had undergone and gambollcd about the
building quite as happy and ~carc-free as ever.