“I’ll come in after I’ve let the cats through from the permanent cages. I want you in there first, though, so they can see you the minute they start into the chute. Then you won’t surprise ’em, see, and scare ’em. Just stand still in the center as they come in. If any of ’em get excited, just say ‘seats!’ in a good, strong voice, and tap ’em with that buggy whip. By that time I’ll be in there.”
“But where’s my gun? And aren’t we going to have any of the men around with hot irons or electric prods—”
“Electric what?” The trainer cocked his head.
“Electric prod rods—you know, that throw electricity.”
“Cut the comedy,” came briefly; “you’ve been readin’ them Fred Fearnot stories! Nope,” he continued, “there ain’t going to be any hot irons or electric prods, whatever they are, or nothin’. Just you an’ me an’ the cats an’ a couple of buggy whips!”
Whereupon, somewhat dazed, I allowed myself to be shunted into the arena. The door was closed behind me—and strapped. Shorty, the animal trainer went to the line of permanent cages, shifted a few doors, then opened the one leading to the chute. A tiger traveled slowly toward me, while I juggled myself in my shoes, and wondered why the buggy whip had suddenly become so slippery in my clenched hand. While this was happening, the Bengal looked me over, dismissed me with a mild hiss, and walked to the pedestal. Then, almost before I knew it, the den was occupied by three tigers and three lions, none of which had done anything more than greet me with a perfunctory hiss as they entered! Already Shorty was unstrapping the door, himself to enter the den. Then, one by one, the animals went through their routine, roaring and bellowing and clawing at Shorty, but paying no attention whatever to me!
“Part of the act,” explained the little trainer as he came beside me for a moment, “trained ’em that way. Audience likes to see cats act vicious, like they was going to eat up their trainer. But a lot of it’s bunk. Just for instance—”
Then he turned to the lion which had fought him the hardest.
“Meo-w-w-w-w-w-w-w!” he said.
“Meo-w-w-w-w-w-w-w!” answered the lion, somewhat after the fashion of an overgrown house cat.