THE EHINOOBROS. 333 



their dispositions lacking the docility which is generally dis- 

 played under similar circumstances by the majority of quadrupeds, 

 render them the most dangerous of beasts. They evince a disposi- 

 tion on all occasions to attack their keepers as readily as strangers. 

 In the gardens of the Zoological Society the Indian rhinoceros was 

 some years ago nearly the cause of a serious calamity by charging 

 suddenly into his compartment at some of the men who were 

 engaged in cleaning it. He knocked them right and left, but for- 

 tunately, although one man was badly hurt, no fatality resulted 

 from this attack. It, however, taught the men the necessity of 

 exercising great cautioil when having in any way to deal with 

 these animals. 



The first rhinoceros which was exhibited in the United States 

 broke loose, and, besides making great havoc in a circus, killed 

 two men. The following account of this affair is taken from an 

 American paper. The accident happened in the summer of 

 1872 : *' A letter from Red Bird, a small town in Monroe county, 

 Illinois, gives a thrilling account of the escape from its keepers 

 of the rhinoceros belonging to Warner and Co.'s menagerie and 

 circus on the occasion of its being brought into the ring for the 

 first time. The showmen had prepared the animal for exhibition 

 by attaching to a ring on its nose two strong wire ropes, and 

 twenty-four men were deemed sufficient to control the beast. It 

 submitted quietly to being led from the cage, but on entering the 

 arena suddenly threw up its head, and plunging madly to the right 

 and left, broke loose from the men and dashed forward through the 

 tents. Its first victim was a canvas-man, who was knocked down, 

 and the beast trampling upon his breast he was killed instantly. 

 It next ran its nose against another canvas-man, striking him in 

 the stomach, ripping out his bowels, and kiUing him on the spot. 

 It then made a dash in the direction of the seats, which by this 

 time were cleared by the frightened spectators, and knocked down 

 nearly all of the seats on one side of the tent, dislocating the 

 shoulder of one of the employes, and breaking the arm of a 

 spectator. Eunning next into the menagerie tent, it upset 

 Mr. Forepaugh's den of performing animals, after which it struck 

 the centre-pole with its head, bringing it down with a crash upon 



