.. there's no
telling when they might jump you ... there's only one chance in a
thousand that they will ... but you may bring one up from being a cub
... and, one morning, because of something you can't read in its animal
mind--it not liking its breakfast or something--it may jump you, give
one crunch, and snuff you out like a candle ... it's that chance that
you take that makes it seem brave."
"Thanks, I'll take the chance."
"Are you sure you'll have enough command of yourself to make a speech?"
"--Certain ... I've committed to memory almost all the Encyclopedia
Britannica article on lions ... I'm going to give them that...."
* * * * *
"Gregory! Gregory!" the crowd was calling, half in derisive jocularity,
half in uneasy admiration....
The trainer shunted me into the cage, after seating his lions in a
half-moon on their tubs.
"Quick! Step in! We'll be on the outside ready with hot irons in case
anything goes wrong!"
I didn't know whether the trainer was jesting or serious.
"Don't think of them at all. They'll sit still ... you can turn your
back to them and face the audience. It will be safe. Only don't make any
unexpected, quick motions."
I was in among them. The door clanged behind me.
Nobody jeered now. All was filled with an expectant hush.
Then, as if strange and a-far from myself, I stepped easily into the
very centre of the half moon of squatting beasts, and made my speech .
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