The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-03-03
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1s<o1. HE keeper of the lions of
u b the London "Zoo," Martin
e 8 Riley, began learning his
L trade young, for his faith


l. trade young, for his faith
AcN er was lion keeper in a
travelling menagerie, and Martins first
plaything was lion cub. When the
boy was twenty lone years old his faith
er left the menaeerie, and Martin
stepped into his place.
To Martin as boy and man lions were
as familiar as brothers and sisters are
10 most of US, and he liked the menag-
erie well; but the constant travelling
began to wear upon him, and long be-
fore he was gray he sought and Sc
cured employment from the Royal Zoo
logical Society, of London.
"He's the best lion man in England"
the superintendent of the gardens
once said:
For fifteen years Riley kept his place
and remained whole, although he had
sften been attacked in the cages, and
once he thought the end had surely
come when a ferocious lioness. lately
deprived Of her, babies. struck him
over the ear with her open paw.
It was in June, two years ago. that
Riley had his most dangerous and cur
ious adventure. One afternoon, after
carrying great pals of water up to
the lion house to battle some of the
beasts, he set the two pals down at
the door Of the long, low building and
entered, to be greeted by roars from
few Of the ten cages ranged along the
wall upon the right. The cages were
exactly similar, and at the back Of each
Mas a sliding door leading to an en-
closure. where Riley usually turned
loose any animal that he wished to
bathe.
He crept along the iron railing which
is in front of the cages and walked
the length of the building close to the
bars. scrutinizing the beasts behind.
and now and again stopping for word
with one OF another.
Thus he went on to the last cage,
behind the bars of which stalked back
and forth two immense male lions. AS
the voice of the man outside fell upon
their ears they stopped in their PROM
enade, and shaking their names.
roared. Then Jupiter, one Of the
beasts, advanced to the front of the
cage, and raising a forepaw lightly
from the floor, thrust it out between
the bars. Riley seized that paw in
both hands and shook it violently. The
other lion glared upon this display of
friendship from a dark corner ct the
back. His eyes glowed il the half
light like two Goals.
"And how are you, Jupiter, old boy?"
asked Riley. The answer was roar
that might be termed mild, fo- to Ril-
ey's experienced ear it bore no note Of
anger. In fact, Jupiter, ever since his
cub days, had always shown remarkl-
bic fondness for the keeper.
"I'm thinkin' ye need q bath, Jupi-
ter" said Riley.
Another roar was the answer.
well, then, you shall have it. And
there's Jim glowering with Jealousy
at US. He shall have bath. too. Ye
shall both get it in about two minutes" T"
The keeper went back to the door Of
the building, where he had left his
pals; picking them up, he shambled
along the path at the rear Of the lioa
house until he reached the iron enclcs-
ure. which was just behind the cage
occupied by Jupiter and his compan-
ion. There he stopped. Drawing a
bunch of keys from his coat pocket. he
selected one, and fitted it to the pad
lock on the door, Throwing back the
heavy screen upon its creaking hinges,
he lifted both pals inside the inclos-
ure. and then clambered up on the c.
ment floor himself. shutting the gate
after him. and slipping All iron bar
through the heavy cleats to hold ii
shut.
Merrily whistling MARY Of AtGlone,' -
Riley shufHed over to corner OF the
enclosure. and put down the pals. 4
roar came from the inner cage.
Now don't you get excited" said the
keeper, as he crossed over to the door
connecting the cage with the eDcos-
ure. "I'll be there in minute"
Q As he spoke he released the sliding
panel by removing a peg; it went up
automatically, being raised by the
weights attached to chains running
over blocks at the top. .''here was now
nothing but air between Riley and the
two beasts.
II guess III take you firs::, jim" he