"The big Barbary lion?"
"Yes. Ever since we had to shoot his mate, Princess, he has not been like himself. To-day he began throwing himself with all his force against the iron door. He even started some of the bars, so I had to screen him from the public to quiet him."
"Did it?"
"Yes, he seems to be more tractable now. But I want to see if I can not take off the canvas. The public does not like it that they do not see all the animals. I hope Prince is not going on a rampage as Princess did."
Joe recalled the time when, by quick action, he had prevented the lioness from escaping. She had been shot later, while he was in the hospital recovering from the effects of a fall from his trapeze. Now her mate was making trouble.
"Softly now, Prince! Softly," began the lion tamer, as he removed the canvas cover. "Softly now, old boy!"
But no sooner was the cover off than the lion, which had been lying down, jumped up with a roar and dashed himself against the iron door of his cage.
Women in the crowd screamed with terror, and there was a rush to get out of the tent.
"There is no danger!" Señor Bogardi assured the people. But they thought it safer outside, and the rush for the exit continued.
The lion kept on throwing himself against the door, as though trying to break out.