| Show iE jengel JENG ingen INGEL Kl IN TIIS lyons lyonn lons LIONS ben DEN there are probably few people in this country who have not heard of herr lengel the lion tamer and certainly there can be but very few in this cit elt city who are not familiar with his form M and face which has been posted in many show windows of the city as one of the main attractions of the great eastern circus which comes to st paul on the and instas in starting with this troupe last spring her lengel found one cake cage of african lions which had never been tamed and with which he determined to perform as with those which had bad long E been een under control the cage contained two lionesses and one lion and during the single week which he had bad before the exhibitions began he be devoted what moments he could spare to their training relying belying upon what he terms a gift of nature he has no fear of the beasts when they are caged and is best pleased and most at home when he is controlling the fierce passions of these beasts of prey after a little experience with the new animals herr lengel found that contrary to his usual experience the male lion was the most crafty and subtle of the three with which he had to deal and on two occasions before the one at portage city he has detected this huge fellow in the act of sneaking up to seize his leg and he took hold of his boot but a blow from bengels Len gels club sent him back to his corner it was during the afternoon exhibition at portage city on tuesday last that the thrilling adventure here related occurred the tamer was going through his usual performance in this stage with two men stationed outside with huge iron rods between the bars of the cage to assist if necessary in warding off any attack which might be made upon the daring man the lion ho he confessed had somewhat puzzled him as manifesting a different nature from that of any with which he had dealt and for that reason he had kept his eye more vigilant than is usual if possible upon him but at one point he was obliged to turn and face the two lionesses as they passed him leaving the lion to be watched by the attendants but that afternoon the attendants were at the critical moment diverted from the lion to the man and failed to see the monster sneak along the floor with evil eye the audience were watching more closely and by some of them the danger was seen and a cry of alarm was raised but it was too late the monster jaws had closed on the calf of herr bengels Len gels right leg the teeth met and lengel fell to the floor of the cage an easy prey to tho the three wild beasts his club flew from his hand as he fell and was beyond his reach the moment was one of terrible suspense the spectators were ter terrified rifled and the two attendants i were paralyzed at the result of their carelessness but bengela Len gels geis presence of mind did not desert him the lion evenin even in his rage aoud not forget tu the power of his fallen failen antagonist and foos Joos loosened ened his hold for a moment and before the lioness could gather for an attack he was on his feet and with the blood streaming from his mangled limbs seized his whip which he retained and attacked his foe lashing him into the corner whither he retreated leaving the cage herr lengel walked to his hig dressing box across the ring where hid hla sank faint from the loss of mood blood his wounds were examined and it was found that no bones were broken but the wounds were so large and deep that the surgeon who dressed dresse them probed them with his middle finger and failed to touch the end lenel engel Lr was removed as soon as was possible os sible sibie and gest jest yesterday erday afternoon arrived arrive yin in this city and is now at the southern hotel recovering his wounds are doing remarkably mar kably well and although suffering considerably from them he declared his intention to resume his placeit pla ceif possible when the great eastern menagerie and circus reaches st paul he has been five times before bitten by his pets and shows a scarred body but in every case before his wounds have been from lionesses this he thinks is the second case in which he has been intentionally bitten the other four bein being T accidents in his 0 opinion pillion 1 when in their snarl samong themselves they have seized him by mistake herr lengel is ia leading a perilous life i but has firm faith that the lion is not 1 living that will make a meal of him bravery always commands respect and the people can but sympathize with the wounded man and be glad to know that he Is rapidly recovering st paul press june 11 |
