Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1904-02-19

and Jim Stalked past the keeper, OUT
into the enclosure. Once in the open
air the big beast stretched. open wide
his immense paws, yawned, and then
rOared.
And now. Jim, my boy" said. Riley
as he approached, yell AVE youi
lovely collar put round your lovely
neck, and be chained nice AMI tight to
the flure, while your old frind soaks
you with big sponge"
Jim stood very still while the heavy
collar was being buckled round his
neck. Riley always managed this With
one hand, his other being occupied in
dangling the whip before the lions
eyes.
Come on, now" he said, when he
had finished, and he half dragged the
big beast over to the pals.
There was ring fastened to the fool
with chain attached to it, the end
Of which was fastened into clasp.
The lion stood between tile two pals.
Facing him, the keeper threw aside
the whip and stopped to pick up the
chain. AS he rose slightly to snap the
catch upon the collar, loud roar broke
from jim. He had become suddenly
Infatuated. Before Riley knew what
had happened an open paw had struck
him. and the claws tore open his right
cheek. He staggered back into the cor,
ned and half crouched there. dazed.
The keeper did not scream. Ho
hardly breathed. The breeze. brushing
| his raw. lacerated cheek. Stung him; he
felt the blood running down his neck,
along his body, lnder all his clothes,
but his trained will kept him quiet and
unmOvlng.
The lion was lying now almost fat,
gazing ut the man. 1t would all bd
over in a moment, Riley thought. for
he saw that the beast was about to
spring.
With great Bound it jumped
through the air. Then the enormous
bulk of the animal fell on him, bearing
him TO the floor beneath its weight.
With one sweep CT mighty paw
Riley WAS torn from his chin TO his
hip. and his clothing ripped into shreds.
as if it were so much cambria. Yet no
kept his senses and lay still.
The pain was distributed; it seemed
to be everywhere, even in his feet. lie
wondered if his feet had been gnawed
off.
He could not have moved had he de.
sired to do so, and he knew that the
slightest motion would mean a fresh
attack from the animal, ste 1iLg there
in the middle of the enclosure, shak'
ing its head, and watching him with
yellow, burning eyes.
Riley wondered if he was dead. He
could think still, and to satisfy hlmself
that his end had not come, he ran over
in his mind all his experiences with
lions in the past.
1t had been carelessness tc lay aside
the whip. even for moment; for,
slight as it was. there was not lion
in the Zoo that it did not COW. Then
he wondered if he could not reach it.
With a great effort he drew his knees
up slightly and pressed his heels hard
upon the floor. thinking thus to Slid
his own body. little by little. to the
spot where lay the whip. Jim saw
the movement of the knees, and
crouched. He would spring again.
Riley closed his eyes. He did not need
to open them to feel the two rows of
sharp teeth meet in the muscle of his
arm at the shoulder, or to feel himself
ragged across the cement
When he did open his eyes he looked
down the length of his own body to-
ward the opening of the inner cage.
There. in the doorway. stood Jupiter
his head raised, his eyes angry. Riley
remembered that lie had struck Jupl.
ter unnecessarily but a few minutes
earlier. Was the lion coming to share
in the killing:
Riley watched Jupiter, but Jim did
not see his cage mate, for his tail was
TO the opening as he crOuched for an
other spring. But before he could leap
there came Il roar that shook the pal
ings. And then Jupiter bounded to
the middle of the enclosure, facing
Jim.
The names Of the two lions bristled
upon their necks like ruffs. Jupiter
plunged forward and instantly the hOr.
ribe fight began which is still spoken
of in tones Of awe among the keepers
of the Zoo.
Riley lying there, TOO weak to move
a finger, saw it all. The lions roarcd
and snarled and tore at each other,
now rising above the PROSTATE man,
clawing. swapping. biting: now rolling
over and over upon the floor. AL wet
with the blood OF an and beast. Jim's
resistance was gallant for he was the
inferior in both strength and weight.
Finally, with sudden upward throw
of his head, Jupiter's teeth closed up
on the throat of his antagonist, and he
shook jim as if he had been a rat. and
then beat the dangling head upon the
Jaws opened with a smack. and Jims
dead head fell solidly upon the cement.
With his muzzle raised high Jupiter |
stood for all j. slant motiOnleSS, his. |
forefoot planted upon Jim's carcass.
Then opening wide his jaws. he gave |
a mighty roar of triumph and revenge.
Then he strobe over TO the PROSTATE |
keeper and looked down into his face.
Only for an instant did the scrutiny |
last. Then Jupiter turned and passed |
through the doorway of the inner cage,
where he lay down in a corner to lick
his wounds in silence,
1t was Morton. the snake man. who