Year: 1877

any unnecessary risk p


any own heart would have to be torn out
before anything should happen to our dar:
ling" and he stopped, raised the child, tossed
her up, caught her, kissed her and hugged her
to his bosom.


"But yourself, Joe ?"


80, I'll look out for number one."


The conversation did not tend to ease his
mind, and before dressing he went out and
held another conversation with bis particular
attendant, and took another look into the per.
forming cage. The animals were more quiet
than when he had seen them previously the
lioness especially appeared in playful mood,
and, with something of load lifted from his
heart, he returned, with but little time remain
ing before he would be called upon to prove
his right to the proud title of Lion Tanner.


And every inch he looked one, as he
stepped in view of the densely.crowded assem-
bly,. Gorgeous in his new costume, and with
look of calmness and determination upon
his face, he looked, with his tall and sinewy
form, fit to grapple with and overcome the
fercest beasts that ever prowled amid the
iungles of Asia and Africa, and made night
terrible with their roaring.


A burst Of applause-a perfect tempest OF
huzzas and clapping of hands greeted him as
he swung his little girl, dressed in silver tis-
sue, and with the gossamer wings and tiara
of sparkling Jewels around her golden curls,
that represent the traditional fairy, upon his
shoulders. While looking at his stalwart pro-
portions, the men thought what dangerous
antagonist he would be, and the young moth.
ers shuddered at so beautiful child being
taken into den of savage animals.


With graceful bow and the dignity of a
Roman conqueror, the Lion Tanner strode
through the circle, disappeared behind the
cage, and, with such rapidity as to astonish
the audience, stood within the compartment
where the huge lion was lying and the agile
leopards leaping about, and had placed his
child between the claws of the greater brute,
and she was playfully toying with its shaggy
name.


For time he made the leopards leap about
him as kittens, jumping from corner to cor
ner, resting upon his broad shoulders, bound
ing lightly over the extended whip Then
he gave his attention to the mother lion, OPEN
ed its immense jaws, placed his arm and
thrust his head between them, raised his
fairy-like child upon its back, and made it
march around with her. Then he prepared
to throw the two cages into one.


"Let Inez come out now," whispered the
attendant, uneasily. "You have done enough
already to keep your promise, and the au-
dence won't know the difference"


"No will go through. Mind what l
told you and have things ready in case there
should be trouble, though don't fancy any"
Then he continued aloud so as to be plainly
heard by every one, Hand me the pail of
blood"


A cold shiver, supernatural awe, appear
ed to pass through the frame of all, as the
vessel, dripping with crimson drops, was CIV
en- to him, and more than one asked them
selves if the man was mad to thus not only
risk his own life, but that of his beautiful
chhi4cii.- oh it'd ii.-Aud- when he fooseued uud thrust
aside the partition, and the fierce lioness and
sleek tiger came bounding in, their breath
was absolutely suspended, and their hearts
momentarily ceased to beat.


"Down!


The tiger obeyed, and the foot of the Lion
Tanner was upon his neck.


'Up!"


And the leopards we're purring like great
cats upon his shoulders, while the lioness lay
crouched with her tawny paws thrust through
the bars and growing severely.


For mercy's sake. let her alone" whisper
ed his attendant; "and mind not kick over
that pail. If the blood should be spilled, it
would be all over with you BOTH All the
men in the world couldn't save you"


"Stand ready, but keep still. The brute
shall mind"


His child was sitting on the back of the
lion, and smiling in that den of horrors. Her
confidence in her father was sublime-was as
perfect as her love. She never dreamt of fear
when he was near to protect, and while the
lookers-on shuddered, she innocently deemed
it pleasant pastime.


"Downw


The leopards leaped to either corner, and
crouched down.


"Come!"


The lioness grumblingly arose, crawled sud-
denly to his feet, rose and laid her great
claws upon his shoulders, making him swerve
with her weight and raising her terrible head
upon level with his own. Slowly and slow
ly they turned round as if watzing, the low
mutterings of the beast becoming more plain
ly audible every moment, and her yellow, fe-
line eyes swapping with hidden fires.


With an amazing exhibition of strength, he
wrestled with, tripped and threw her from
him, and the canvas tent rang again. But
instantly she was upon her feet, lashing her
sides with her prehensile tail, drawing back
her lips so as to show her teeth, and uttering
the deepest and iercest of growls.


"For the love of mercy, hand out your
child, Joe" said his attendant.


swat moment. l shall be done very
quickly"


The crowning feat was yet to come 1t
was one upon which he had bestowed much
time, and upon which he prided himself-was
a tableau of wild beasts, with manhood and
childish beauty for the central attraction.


He stepped to the corner, led the monster
lion forth into the centre of the cage, made
him lie down, placed the little girl upon him,
and stood astride. Then a shrill whistle
brought the cheetah leopards bounding upon
his shoulders and standing up with paws
crossed above his head, and the black tiger
erect upon his left, and throttled with his
hand. But the lioness failed to do his bidding
and take her place upon his right. She lay
in the act of springing, and at but little dis
tance.


"ComeW


There was no movement, and the whip was
raised and fell heavily upon her head. That
was all that was needed to awaken her latent
ire, and, with roar like that given in her
native forest, she spraDg with almost resistless
force towards him. A sharp, singing blow
on the bridge Of the nose for moment cowed