Evening star., 1897-04-17
SWALLOWED THE YOUNG LION.
The Snake Had to He Killed Before
the Cub Could De Rescued.

The Snake Had to He Killed Before
the Cub Could he Rescued.
From the Kansas City Journal
Mckinley" cub lion, was doziEg beside
the stove in the winter quarters of Lemon
BIothers' Circus. in Argentine. the other
morning. Around the room were the ami
mai cages containing the 1.-the creatures of
the jungle placidly passing the time away
for the circus season to open. Not far
from the little 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 human being In
the room. 1t was as still as death.
Suddenly the head of large South Amer
lean boa constructor appeared above one of
the boxes. 1t rose slowly up into the air
until about two feet of Its body was in
sight. It's evil little eyes sparkled. and it
twisted it's head and looked around the
its head dropped over the side of the box
and began moving across the floor. 1t was
monster reptile, and il moved cautiously
and with it's eyes stu fastened on Nc
kinley. The snake moved UP to within a
few feet of the lion cub, when 1t paused
The cubs tail was closest to the snake. II
elided closer yet and then drew the tail
into its mouth. AS the tail disappeared the
snake drew closer and closer to the cubs
body. and then with a wide spreading of
its jaws 1t took in the entire headquarters
of the cub. Mckinley aweke and began to
cry in a piafnttve voice. Swiftly its body
disappeared. and louder grew its cries. The
mother heard the walls of her offspring
and looking between the bars of her cage,
ccmprehended the situation at a glance
She spraEg to the bars and let out roar
that brought every animal in every cage
to Its feet. and pandemonium broke loose
The mother roared incessantly, while the
lions Joined in the chorus; even the sea
lions beloved. and soon the elephants be-
gan to trumpet
Only Mckinley was silent All of his
body had passed inside the snakes jaws
except a small part of his head ana his
front paws. There was 4 self-satisfied look
on the snakes fac. The turmoil of the
animals reached the circus attaches In
another building. and they ran quickly to
the scene. They comprehended matters at
a glance. One of them ran to the ele-
plants, while tugging at their chains and
still trumpeting. and with an iron prod
quieted them Others tried to extricate
coward. tried to sneak away, but was
caught and held. Then the men caught
Mckinley by the paws and other men held
the snake and they all pulled together.
Mckinley stayed where he was. He either
refused or couldn't come cut. Occasionally
little more of him Slipped inside. Mat
tiers were approaching a crisis. 1t was
either the life of the snake or the cub A
quick consultation was held, and It was de-
cided TO sacrifice the South american ra-
tive.- Knives were procured and the snake
was cut in two. When the blades pene-
trated its flesh it seemed to realize its posi-
tion. and struggled with its captors. the
men finally falling upon 1t and holding it
still. The snake was handicapped by its
meal. 1t did not take long to sever the
body, and they then tried to pull the cub
through. but it stuck and stuck tight. 1t
was necessary to split the snakes jaws and
pry them apart before the cub could be re-
leased. Then Mckinley was taken cut He
vas nearer dead than alive
olxn
the show for many years. The cub Is one
OF the twins born just prior to the last
election. Being born in captivity and an
exceptionally fine specimen. he was highly
priced Last November, just prior to the
election, one of the lions gave birth to two
wheips. Both were males. and in keeping
with the spirit Of the times, one was named
Bryan. the other Mckinley. Just before
election the cub called Bryan sickened and
died. Mckinley. on the contrary, grew
sleek and fat, and met with no mishap un-
til the escarade Of yesterday.
Last night after the attendants had given
Mckinley bath and G careful rubbing he
appeared to be quite recovered from the
squeezing process he had undergone and
samnoiied about the building quite as hap
py and care-free az eyer ~f