, 1897-04-12
WHOLE MENAGERIE UPSET.
All the Animals Roar Disapproval at a
Snake.

Mckinley" Il cub lion, was doing
beside the stove in the winter quarters
Of Lemen Brothers circus in Argentine,
the other morning. Around the room
were the animal cages containing the
little creatures OF the jungle placidly
passing the time away waiting for the
circus season to open. MOI far from
The little sleeping lion cub stood several
large boxes of snakes, which have to be
kept near the stove to prevent the rep
tiles from freezing. There was not Il
human being in the o 1t was as
still as death, says the Kansas City
Journal.
Suddenly the head Of Il large South
American boa constructor appeared
above n of the boxes. 1t rose slowly
up into the air until about two feet OF
its body was in sight. Its evil little
and looked around the room until it be-
held The sleeping cub. Then its head
dropped over the side OF the box and
began moving across the floor Yard
after yard Of snake came out OF the box
IL was Il monster reptile and II moved
cautiously and with its eyes still fasten-
ed on Mckinley" The snake moved
up to within a few feet of the lion cub,
when it paused. The cubs tail was clos
est to the snake. 1t glided closer yet
and hen 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
it took in the entire hindquarters of the
cub.
Mckinley" awoke and began to cry
in a plaintive voice. Swiftly its body
disappeared and louder grew its cries.
The mother OF the only lion cub born
in captivity in the United States heard
the walls OF her offspring, and, looking
between the bars of her cage comprc-
hended the situation at a glance. She
sprang TO the bars and let a roar
that brought every animal in every cage
to its feet, and pandemonium broke
loose. The mother of Mckinley" roar
ed necessarily. while the lions joined in
the chorus; even the sea lions beloved.
and soon the elephants began to trump
ct.
Only Mckinley" was silent. All OF
his body had passed inside the snakes
jaws except a small part OF his head
and his front paws. There was a self
satisfied look on the snakes face. The
turmoil OF the animals reached the cir
Gus attaches in another building, and
they ran to the scene. One OF them ran
10 the elephants, who were Juggling at
their chains and still trumpeting. and
with an iron prod quieted them. Others
tried TO eXtricate "Mckinlev.' The
snake, like a miserable coward, tried TO
sneak away cut was caught and held.
| Then the men caught mckinley by
the paws and other men held the snake
and they all pulled together. "McKin-
ley" stayed where he was. He either
refused or couldn't come out. Occasion
ally a little more of him slipped inside.
Matters were approaching Il crisis. II
was either the life of the snake or the
cub. A quick consultation was held.and
it was decided to sacrifice the South
American native. Knives were procur-
ed and the snake was cut in two. When
the blades penetrated its flesh it SEEM
ed to realize its position and struggled
with its captors. the men finally falling
upon il and holding it still. The snake
was handicapped by its meal. 1t did
not take long &c level the body, n
then they tried to pull the cub through,
but it stuck and stuck tight. 1t was
necessary TO split the snakes jaws and
prv them apart before the cub could be
released. Then Mckinley" was taken
out. He a nearer dead than alive.
The snake was one that had been with
the show for many years. The Gu. is
one OF twins born just prior to the last