26 WILD ANIMAL CELEBRITIES 



savageness, or displeasure had been noticed by 

 anyone, it was decided, after a consultation 

 between the Director and those in authority, 

 that it was now perfectly safe to admit the 

 young jaguar into the cage of Lopez to be his 

 companion. 



Both jaguars seemed intensely interested 

 in the opening of the doors, and the 

 young female jaguar walked quietly through 

 with a little purr, evidently expect- 

 ing to be warmly welcomed. But the moment 

 that door was opened, the evil and latent 

 treachery in Lopez's nature came to the sur- 

 face. Evidently, he had not eared for the 

 new jaguar at all and his friendly overtures 

 had meant nothing. His whole attitude 

 changed. His eyes blazed, his fur quivered, 

 his muscles grew rigid and taut and, with a 

 savage, throaty growl, he did as he always 

 had done when killing — sprang at the back of 

 the young jaguar's neck, inserting his long 

 canine teeth deeply and held on like a bull 

 dog. So fierce and sudden had been the at- 

 tack that the poor young jaguar was power- 



