MILD-MANNERED LIONESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13491, 18 May 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

MILD-MANNERED LIONESS.

LOOTS A BUTCHER'S CART. ' Ax anaemic lioness who escaped from a : menagerie at Rheims in France a few weeks ago has disgraced for . ever the magnificent traditions of her kind. She had been restive for some days, and when her keeper was stooping in the cage she gave him a gentle'push, knocked him over, and escaped'through the open door. She was somewhat bewildered by. her sudden liberty, and in, her excitement made a dash for the market-place, knocking down a small child on the way. The child— particularly bad-tempered youngster—picked itself up, and threw stones after her. -. ■'-:■■'■■':' V. ■■"/■i ■;'.:.!-.". ; - ; -

This caused the lioness to hurry, and in her terror she came into collision with an. old woman, who was knocked over*' by superior weight. . Then a brave young man appeared in the way and said "Shoo!" whereupon the lioness bolted down a side street, causing great consternation. She overtook a butcher's cart, and the butcher boy fled in terror, leaving- his goods to the lioness, who stopped to enjoy a good round meal. The butcher boy spread the alarm that an entire menagerie was loose in the streets. The timorous shut themselves up in the houses, but a few of the; braver spirits determined for the first time to enjoy the delights of big-game hunting. They were led by an artilleryman with, a drawn' sword, and several peasants with rook rifles and pistols brought up the rear. The lioness having finished her meal, strolled into the ' market-place, to ' the consternation of the women shoppers, who were quite unaware of her pacific intentions. ;' ; .

j Her pursuers did not dare to go near her, but fired several ineffective shots from a distance: The mayor then came on the scene, and pronounced the animal to be a particularly furious beast. He called out a squad of soldiers, and they, with the keeper of the lioness at their head, came up with the beast in a blind alley. When the lioness saw her keeper she ran up to him, and rubbed her head affection- j ately "against ( him, befuie trotting home at bis side." ' " "'■'■. ■""" : , j