The times., 1897-06-27
"McKINLEY" AND THE SNAKE.
A Cub Lion Nearly Swallowed by a
BOa.COuStrtctOr.


''McKinley,' a cub lion, was doing be-
side the stove in the winter quarters OF
the circus. Around the room Were the
animal cages containing the 1.-THE creatures
of the jungle, placidly passing the time
away waiting 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 TO 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
1t twisted It's head and looked around the
| room until 1T beheld 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.
1t was monster reptile and it moved
| cautiously and with its eyes still fastened
on Mckinley" The snake moved up 10
within few OF thelion cub, whelit pau sed.
The cubs tail was closest to the snake.
L glidcd closer yet and then drew the tail
| into its mouth. AS the tall disappeared the
snake drew closer and closer TO the cubs
body and then with wide spreading OF its
jaws IL took in the entire hind quarters
of the cub.
Mckinley" awoke and began TO oly n
a piaintive voice. Swiftly its body disap-
peared and louder grew its cries. The
mother OF the only lion cub born in cap
tivity in the United States heard the walls
OF her offspring, and between the bars OF
her cage comprehended the situation at
a glance. She sprang to the bars and let
out roar that brought every animal in
every cage to it's feet, and pandemonium
broke loose. The mother of Mckinley
roared incessantly, while the lions joined
in the chorus even the sea lions bel
lowed and soon the elephants began to
trumpet.
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 self-satisfied
look on the snakes face.
The turmoil of the animals reached the
circus attaches in another building and
they ran quickly to the scene. The COM
pretended matters at a glance. One Of
them ran TO the elephants, which were
tugging at their chains and still trumpet
ing. and with an iron prod quieted them.
others tried to eXtricate Mckinley" The
snake, like a miserable coward, tried to
sneak away, but was caught and held.
Then one man caught Mckinley hy the
paws and other men held the snake and all
| pulled together Mckinley" stayed where
he was. Heeither refused or couldn't come
out. Occasionally little more of him
slipped inside Matters were approaching
q crisis. IL 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
produced and the snake was cut in two.
When the blades penetrated its flesh it
seemed to realize its position and struggled
with It's captors, the men finally falling
upon it and holding il still. The snake was
handicapped by it's meal. 1t did not take
long to sever its body, and the men 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 released. Their NC
Kinley'' was taken out. He was nearer
dead than alive.
The snake was one that had been with
the show for many years. The cub is one
OF twins born just prior to the last eiec-
ton Being born in captivity and an ex-
ceptionaly fine specimen he was highly
priced
Last November, just prior to the elee-
ton, one of the lions gave birth to two
whelps. 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 until
the snake escapade.
After the attendants had given McFin-
ley bath and a careful rubbing he ap-
peared to be quite recovered from the
squeezing process he had undergone and
gamboled about the bull ding quite as happy
anG care free as ever.-Kansas City Jour-
nal.