Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-09-06
cAlLANT ACT BY RUSSIAN HERO.

A crowd Of hostlers. white faced
and trembling. burst uneeremoniou5
" into the chief tanners room.
"The lion has broken loose" one
bIurted.
"And the three lionesses as we'll.
chorused half a dozen others in
breath, glanene furtively down the
passage as if fearing that the ami
mails were on their track
In disjointed and startled sentences
they poured their story into the bewil
dered tanners ears. They had been
working in the stables when the lion
burst suddenly into their midst. follow
ed closely by three lionesses Terri
fed at the sight, they had all fled to
the far end of the stable. and there
| had seen the lion attack Roberto.
Roberto! The tanner paled as he
heard the name. for it belonged to the
most valuable and accomplished horse
that the Devigne circus of Odessa pcs
sessed.
More he did not wait to hear. Seiz-
ing his heavy thonged whip. he rushed
from the room. A few yards down the
passage he met the manager of the cir
Gus. who, having heard of the animals
escape. had armed himself with =
double barreled gun and a pOcketful!
of blank cartridges.
Together the two men hastened TO
the stable. There terrible sight me-
their eyes. The fierc eand hungry ami
mails had borne Roberto to the ground.
The air was filled with the screams
OF half hundred terrified horses. who
seemed conscious of the danger near
them.
Raising his gun the manager fired
two shots in the face of the nearest
lioness. She covered, then with a
howl, fled from the stable, followed
by the other two.
Only the lion remained.
Again the manager fired. A roar of
rage shook the stable, and the infur.
lated animal. forsaking the horse,
sprang towards him. But the man
ager was ready. and, firing both bar
Yrel9 he checked the threatened rush.
By this time the assistant tanner had
arrived, and, together with the chief
tanner, stood awaiting the moment
Wen the lion should be sufficiently
coWed for them to drive him to his
cage.
Ihe manager ceased firing. The lion
crouched instantly. AS long as firing
had continued it had stood motionless,
cut for the great tail that lashed onl-
lnously up and down.
Bang, bang! Both barrels spoke as
one, and the lion leaped backwards
With another loud roar.
The manager dubbed his rifle. A
thrill of horror passed over both tam
ers.
What is wrOng?" they cried.
nave fired my last cartridge"
AS II knowing that victory was with
ia grasp, the lion advanced. Step bv
step, as cat stealing upon a bird. it
drew within five yards, then crouched
its long, shaggy name bristling with
fury. Pale, but determined to fieh.
kard Tor his life, the MANAGER aw,itod
the onslaught. He could see the mus.
cles quivering beneath the long favn
back. The spring was near
Suddenly the assistant tanner ,o.noa
forward. AS he did so the lion snrana
Put the tanner already had seized tho
'hlck name. And the lion fell heavily
to the ground. Back, half draeeino
half lifting. the tanner drew tho st...e
cling animal "S'
Then followed scene that IL o,,.
life has never had it's equal Tbe as as
bent down and picked the lion ,n aa -
if it had been lamb. 7, v,,, ~
savage creature snarled ane st,, ns
tfuriously with its paws. Tho tas' eA
held it in viselike grip. Right ao.ae
the courtyard into the arena ~ Us, oss
the lion, and then, gathering b;s wv NV