SCENE IN A MENAGERIE.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1221, 17 January 1883, Page 2

SCENE IN A MENAGERIE.

A Paris correspondent telegraphs that a terrible affair has occurred at Cannes to. a member of Sanger's circus troupe. A negro, who was replacing the regular lion tamer who was wounded at Freyjus, was entering the lion's cage when, his foot slipped, and he fell on his face. The lions, with their natural instinct, rushed upon the prostrate man, and repeatedly tore his flush a young one especially holding him with persistence, and tearing his thigh. An assitant rushed to his rescue and repelled four of the lions with his pitchfork, but the fifth refused to let go till a red-hot bar had been thrust down. his moutlr, when the unfortunate negro, still conscious, dragged himself out of the cage, and was carried off bleeding profusely. The spectators, meanwhile, where almost paralysed with horrow, which was soon changed to panic when it was preceived that the door was open for at least thirty seconds while the negro was being carried off. The lions might have sprung upon the assembly. A rush was made for the entrances, and the alarm, which spread • outside, was only ended by the opportune action of an assistant, who slammed the door of the cage. The poor negro having reached the hospital, through accompained by a doctor, was refused admission because he was without an order. He was taken back to the circus and again to the hospital, where he was finally admitted. This gross mismanagement cost him his life, for he died from the loss of blood entailed during the double journey. This is the third accident which has occurred in this troupe.