TAMER'S ESCAPES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 83, 31 December 1937, Page 6

TAMER'S ESCAPES

-Own Correspondent.

Thrilling Circus Acts

By Air Mail-

LONDON, Dec. 11. One of the most thrilling circus acts in London this Christmas is provided by Mr Alfred Court and his tigers. Three times has he been nearly killed by his animals. Often he has Saved the lives of his apprentices, but two have been killed, one dying in his arms. "The great thing with wild animals is never to let tljem know you are afraid of taem," Court said this week. "Had I tried to run when I was attacked by a tiger two years ago I shouldn't be alive to-day. I felt the animal's fangs grip my knee and heard the bone crack. But my reaction was one of fury rather than panic. "In moments like that one is not immediately conscious of pain, and one i sometimes able to make an effort which afterwards seems superhuman. "I xemember afterwards turning indignantly suying, 'Which is the one that did this to me?' and before he could make another move he. got such a whack on the nose from the heavy stick I carried that he fell back. "By holding my ground and assuming the utmost authority I was able to hold the tiger in check and prevent the others from following up the attack xmtil help arrivecL They never could explain how I managed to keep my feet, as my leg was broken— it must have been sheer will-power. "The tiger soon got over its sudden ■aadness and is ptijl in my act."