Allan the Hunter (1890) by H. Rider Haggard

Author:H. Rider Haggard [Haggard, H. Rider]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Delphi Main Series
Publisher: Delphi Classics
Published: 2020-12-20T15:00:00+00:00

Prince: Another Lion

Author unknown

CASPER GRAHAM stood by a table in his father’s workroom, attentively reading something of great interest in a newspaper by the fast-failing light which stole in through the glass door. He was alone; around him on every side were jars, great and small, retorts, crucibles, scales, mortars, pestles, and numberless bottles, empty and full, all arranged neatly upon the shelves against the walls.

Casper’s father was a chemist, and prepared nearly all the drugs and medicines used in and about Mount Morgan. He had had a good medical education, and there were a number of poor people living near who preferred to take his advice to that of the regular physician of the place.

On the table, near Casper, stood a large phial, containing a dark fluid. A label pasted around it had these words: “For Mr. Jenks. 10 drops on retiring.”

A slight sound at the door made Casper raise his head, lay down the paper, and take up the bottle, expectantly.

“Oh,” said he, setting down the bottle again, as a little girl, with a flat basket held carefully in both hands, pushed her way in. “I thought you were old Mr. Jenks, Winnie.”

“Do I look like old Mr. Jenks?” asked Winnie, laughing.

“Well, no,” replied Casper, “I can’t say you do; but I have been waiting here for more than an hour, and I wish he would come. Father told me he would be here before dark, and that I must wait and give him this medicine.”

“What is the matter with Mr. Jenks now?” asked Winnie, depositing the basket on the table.

“I heard him tell father that he had not slept a wink for seven nights.”

“Oh! poor man,” said Winnie, pityingly, “I hope this stuff will put him asleep.”

“Father said it would be sure to,” replied Casper, glancing at the door again, “but I do wish he would come!”

“What have you been reading?” asked Winnie, as she picked up her basket again.

“Another account of the fire in the menagerie.”

“Oh! is there more about it to-day?” inquired Winnie, with interest.

“Yes, lots more. It tells just how the elephant ripped up the walls of his house with his great tusks, and walked out and stood close by, looking calmly on at the raging flames; and how the giraffe screamed, and the monkeys climbed off into the trees, and the tiger was so frightened that he could scarcely be persuaded to move, although the fire was creeping nearer and nearer every moment, and — oh, lots! We’ll take the paper home.”

“Were any of the animals hurt?” asked Winnie.

“Only Prince, the big lion. You remember Prince, don’t you?”

“Oh, yes, I remember him well. He was so tame! I should not have minded opening the door for him to walk out.”

“I know you tried to feed him,” interrupted Casper, “and when you held the cake out he struck his great paw through the bars, and if the keeper had not pulled you back your arm would have been mangled. You should be more cautious with lions, Winnie.

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