A TALL LION STORY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 221, 26 October 1878, Page 5

A TALL LION STORY.

In a vaoant lot situated between the Hippodrome and the Champa de Mars a raenagarie— such as hss never been seen io Europe — was opened during the Exposition. It will undoubtedly be curious and interesting, but I doubt if the capture of any one of its animala has ouch a history aa the lions about to appear at the Porte Saint Martin Theatre. lam indebted to M. d'Ennery, one of the authors of the " Tour dv Monde," for lha following particulars ; These superb animals have never formed part of any meaagerie, and bave retained all their terrible Bavagenees. It is a hunter, anJ not a trainer, who accompanies them. Macomo, a larga powerful negro of Central Africa, made himself master of these superb animals in the following nianim: —He had been informed of presence of a lion in hie neighborhood. He lost no time in arming himself with a long cutlass, and, dragging a young ox after him, arrived at the appointed place. At the usual hour his Majesty appeared. The moon was at its full, and the strange trio saw one another aa in broad day. The lion gave | utterance to a deep, sbnificant growl, looked from the roan to the ox, and flourished bis great tail. Macomo remained perfectly quiet for an instant, then suddenly plunging his cutlass into the os, he raised him into his vigorous arms and ihrew him at the lion's feet. The wild beast made a bound, sprang upon the bleeding body, caressing it for a moment as a cat does a mouse, and then, giving expression to stifled growla of joy, he drank the blood and crunched the bones. And Mficomo— what was he doing all the time! Seated quietly a few steps from his guest, be opened a little sack from which he took a bit of corn bread and dry dgs and began bis own frugal repast. When bis hunger began to be satisfied, tba lion. raised lm head and looked at the man. Their eyes met. Those of the lion were filled with surprise; those ot the man were calm and smiling. The lion returned to his supper. When he was completely satisfied he rose; Macomo did likewise. The lion made three or four steps towards Macomo, who remained motionless and looking once more "at his ox, which was but partially devoured, his eyes seemed to say, " This belongs to me." Macocao bowed. A last glance, friendly this time, and the lion quietly went his way, leaving Macomo to return to hie home. On the following evening, at the came hour, the African returned to the came place of meeting, where the half-devoured carcase Btill lay ; and shortly afterwards the lion made its appearance, but not alone this time. As the hunter had foreseen, he came accompanied bjr family and friends. They were four in slumber — two lione, a lioness, and lion's whelps. The repast was B^eryedj, < but not as on tbe previous eveningjMn the' open air. Macomo had built an arbor, covered with vinee, banana, and palm leaves, and into this pretty dining-room Ms guests entered fearlessly. Then crawling naislessly within tbe reach of A hidden spriog, Macomo touched it, and hia four Hone suddenly found them r selves imprisioned in a strong iron oage, whose bars had been bidden bsneath green leaves. Friends were near at band to aid in removing the four lions upon a cart, and they were about to pommence their work when they perfiialfQd ft new lioness crouched down #pon tbe f apd sod licking her wbelpa between the jr#n b#rs, When tbe men fai#e tbe cagp upon /the cart, she looked •t them beseechingly, and when Jlj ey all marched on she followed at a short distance with droopiog bead and tearful eyes. And thus it is that we bave five lions instead of four at tbe theatre Porte ISajpt Martin, five terrible ferocious be«Bto, ready to revolt at any moment, pnd although j^Ucotno enters their cege japd dominates them to a certain extent, ibey bave not forgiven him for takeu advantage of their confidence f'o biro, and would nek nothing better, than to treat him, as Lucas wes treated 3 by bjs seven liona in tbe last days of the pii gfoppdfome — simply taar him to pieces. M. d'Encjery, d#4 jf, ij r^nonsible for tfre details of jlbi^ imprest/ Dg fc\§i<jff. He ec£Oß to believe them ; and .many others have followed suit. For my own part, I am ready to believe almost anything of the intelligence of lious and Still, I caunot help thinking ,tb^t are not the only jpe^le who |koosr hoy \y fajn yarns. j