ENCOUNTER WITH A LION.

Evening Post, Volume XIII, Issue 78, 1 April 1876, Page 4 (Supplement)

ENCOUNTER WITH A LION.

The J6urnnl dv Havre' recounts a terrible .encounter between the lion-tamer-Bidel ,and a number of wild beasts. Biftel's custom was to go into the cage of these ferocious animals acfcompanied.bya^heep, which was by his presence kept "safe' from attack. On a recent occasion he proceeded to the lion's cage, and his first act was to place the sheep on the back of a lioness, as he had frequently done before. No sooner had he accomplished this than a powerful lion sprang upon the poor sheep and /buried his teeth deep into a vital part of its body. There" was & large number of spectators present, and, as may be imagined, the sudden act of the lion.crea.ted aniustant.and.genexal panic. Bidel stepped forward, and with the utmost coolness struck the lion a blow on the mouth with a heavy stick, which made him crouch and yell with pain, and threw his bleeding victim trembling at the feet of the courageous performer. 18 another moment, however, all the wild beasts were lashed into fury by the sight of the blood, and no one in the assembly believed that Bidel could possibly escape. Preserving his presence of mind, however, he Kfepl the other animals at bay until he had subdued the lion and chased him back to his page. He then fought his way back through thd.pther animals, and amid the bravos of the assembly came out triumphantly carrying hiswounded sheep with him. The poor animal, which was a great favorite of the lion-tamer, has since died of its wounds.