REMINISCENCES FROM THE MELBOURNE ZOO. 
73 
immediately grasped the full significance and possibilities of the unre- 
hearsed item on the programme, and, although in imagination he already 
felt a strong paw reach across the footlights and grab at his hair, he 
kept his nerve and said, in low, tense tones to his orchestra: “Play up, 
men, for heaven’s sake, play up and keep going!” Conducting more 
vigorously than ever, he nerved the men for their uncomfortable task, 
even though they one and all admitted afterwards that not only was 
King Leo. 
their hair standing on end but their scalps were lifting with fright. 
And the people looking on were delighted. This was such an illusion as 
Melbourne audiences had scarcely dared hope to see, and they said to 
each other, in their bewilderment: “Doesn’t it look like a real lion?” 
As the lion turned and walked back the way he came the thunderous 
applause showed that the turn was a perfect success, and an encore would 
be much appreciated. But the “star” had had enough of the business. 
