Note 15 — CHAP. V.

There was a pole fixed in the centre of the circle, about sixty feet high, near the top of which was a cap, whereon a man stood with a rope suspended, for the purpose of pulling up the door of the cage. The rope being fastened to it, another man would apply rockets through a hole in the back of the cage, until the tiger was made to start. I have seen them come out as black as a coal; one, which was particularly noticed, made two desperate attempts to reach the man on the pole, which he very nearly accomplished, to the great terror of the man, and astonishment of all who beheld him.