michael, brother of jerry-第35章

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e　point　is；　your　dogs　have　got　to　get　right　up　and　perform。　　No　loving　them；　no　begging　them；　no　waiting　on　them。　　And　there's　only　the　one　way。　　They've　got　to　know　when　you　start；　you　mean　it。〃

〃And　dogs　ain't　fools；〃　Johnny　opined。　　〃They　know　when　you　mean　anything；　an'　when　you　don't。〃

〃Sure　thing；〃　Collins　nodded　approbation。　　〃The　moment　you　slack　up　on　them　is　the　moment　they　slack　up　in　their　work。　　You　get　soft；　and　see　how　quick　they　begin　making　mistakes　in　their　tricks。　　You've　got　to　keep　the　fear　of　God　over　them。　　If　you　don't；　they　won't；　and　you'll　find　yourself　begging　for　spotted　time　on　the　bush　circuits。〃

Half　an　hour　later；　Michael　heard；　though　he　understood　no　word　of　it；　the　master…trainer　laying　another　law　down　to　another　assistant。

〃Cross…breds　and　mongrels　are　what's　needed；　Charles。　　Not　one　thoroughbred　in　ten　makes　good；　unless　he's　got　the　heart　of　a　coward；　and　that's　just　what　distinguishes　them　from　mongrels　and　cross…breds。　　Like　race…horses；　they're　hot…blooded。　　They've　got　sensitiveness；　and　pride。　　Pride's　the　worst。　　You　listen　to　me。　I　was　born　into　the　business　and　I've　studied　it　all　my　life。　　I'm　a　success。　　There's　only　one　reason　I'm　a　successI　KNOW。　　Get　that。　　I　KNOW。〃

〃Another　thing　is　that　cross…breds　and　mongrels　are　cheap。　　You　needn't　be　afraid　of　losing　them　or　working　them　out。　　You　can　always　get　more；　and　cheap。　　And　they　ain't　the　trouble　in　teaching。　　You　can　throw　the　fear　of　God　into　them。　　That's　what's　the　matter　with　the　thoroughbreds。　　You　can't　throw　the　fear　of　God　into　them。〃

〃Give　a　mongrel　a　real　licking；　and　what's　he　do？　　He'll　kiss　your　hand；　and　be　obedient；　and　crawl　on　his　belly　to　do　what　you　want　him　to　do。　　They're　slave　dogs；　that's　what　mongrels　are。　　They　ain't　got　courage；　and　you　don't　want　courage　in　a　performing　dog。　You　want　fear。　　Now　you　give　a　thoroughbred　a　licking　and　see　what　happens。　　Sometimes　they　die。　　I've　known　them　to　die。　　And　if　they　don't　die；　what　do　they　do？　　Either　they　go　stubborn；　or　vicious；　or　both。　　Sometimes　they　just　go　to　biting　and　foaming。　You　can　kill　them；　but　you　can't　keep　them　from　biting　and　foaming。　　Or　they'll　go　straight　stubborn。　　They're　the　worst。　They're　the　passive　resistersthat's　what　I　call　them。　　They　won't　fight　back。　　You　can　flog　them　to　death；　but　it　won't　buy　you　anything。　　They're　like　those　Christians　that　used　to　be　burned　at　the　stake　or　boiled　in　oil。　　They've　got　their　opinions；　and　nothing　you　can　do　will　change　them。　　They'll　die　first。　。　。　。　And　they　do。　　I've　had　them。　　I　was　learning　myself　。　。　。　and　I　learned　to　leave　the　thoroughbred　alone。　　They　beat　you　out。　　They　get　your　goat。　　You　never　get　theirs。　　And　they're　time…wasters；　and　patience…wasters；　and　they're　expensive。〃

〃Take　this　terrier　here。〃　Collins　nodded　at　Michael；　who　stood　several　feet　back　of　him；　morosely　regarding　the　various　activities　of　the　arena。　　〃He's　both　kinds　of　a　thoroughbred；　and　therefore　no　good。　　I've　never　given　him　a　real　licking；　and　I　never　will。　　It　would　be　a　waste　of　time。　　He'll　fight　if　you　press　him　too　hard。　　And　he'll　die　fighting　you。　　He's　too　sensible　to　fight　if　you　don't　press　him　too　hard。　　And　if　you　don't　press　him　too　hard；　he'll　just　stay　as　he　is；　and　refuse　to　learn　anything。　　I'd　chuck　him　right　now；　except　Del　Mar　couldn't　make　a　mistake。　　Poor　Harry　knew　he　had　a　specially；　and　a　crackerjack；　and　it's　up　to　me　to　find　it。〃

〃Wonder　if　he's　a　lion　dog；〃　Charles　suggested。

〃He's　the　kind　that　ain't　afraid　of　lions；〃　Collins　concurred。　〃But　what　sort　of　a　specially　trick　could　he　do　with　lions？　　Stick　his　head　in　their　mouths？　　I　never　heard　of　a　dog　doing　that；　and　it's　an　idea。　　But　we　can　try　him。　　We've　tried　him　at　'most　everything　else。〃

〃There's　old　Hannibal；〃　said　Charles。　　〃He　used　to　take　a　woman's　head　in　his　mouth　with　the　old　Sales…Sinker　shows。〃

〃But　old　Hannibal's　getting　cranky；〃　Collins　objected。　　〃I've　been　watching　him　and　trying　to　get　rid　of　him。　　Any　animal　is　liable　to　go　off　its　nut　any　time；　especially　wild　ones。　　You　see；　the　life　ain't　natural。　　And　when　they　do；　it's　good　night。　　You　lose　your　investment；　and；　if　you　don't　know　your　business；　maybe　your　life。〃

And　Michael　might　well　have　been　tried　out　on　Hannibal　and　have　lost　his　head　inside　that　animal's　huge　mouth；　had　not　the　good　fortune　of　apropos…ness　intervened。　　For；　the　next　moment；　Collins　was　listening　to　the　hasty　report　of　his　lion…and…tiger　keeper。　The　man　who　reported　was　possibly　forty　years　of　age；　although　he　looked　half　as　old　again。　　He　was　a　withered…faced　man；　whose　face…lines；　deep　and　vertical；　looked　as　if　they　had　been　clawed　there　by　some　beast　other　than　himself。

〃Old　Hannibal　is　going　crazy；〃　was　the　burden　of　his　report。

〃Nonsense；〃　said　Harris　Collins。　　〃It's　you　that's　getting　old。　He's　got　your　goat；　that's　all。　　I'll　show　it　to　you。Come　on　along；　all　of　you。　　We'll　take　fifteen　minutes　off　of　the　work；　and　I'll　show　you　a　show　never　seen　in　the　show…ring。　　It'd　be　worth　ten　thousand　a　week　anywhere　。　。　。　only　it　wouldn't　last。　Old　Hannibal　would　turn　up　his　toes　out　of　sheer　hurt　feelings。　Come　on　everybody！　　All　hands！　　Fifteen　minutes　recess！〃

And　Michael　followed　at　the　heels　of　his　latest　and　most　terrible　master；　the　twain　leading　the　procession　of　employees　and　visiting　professional　animal　men　who　trooped　along　behind。　　As　was　well　known；　when　Harris　Collins　performed　he　performed　only　for　the　elite；　for　the　hoi…polloi　of　the　trained…animal　world。

The　lion…and…tiger　man；　who　had　clawed　his　own　face　with　the　beast…claws　of　his　nature；　whimpered　protest　when　he　saw　his　employer's　preparation　to　enter　Hannibal's　cage；　for　the　preparation　consisted　merely　in　equipping　himself　with　a　broom…　handle。

Hannibal　was　old；　but　he　was　reputed　the　largest　lion　in　captivity；　and　he　had　not　lost　his　teeth。　　He　was　pacing　up　and　down　the　length　of　his　cage；　heavily　and　swaying；　after　the　manner　of　captive　animals；　when　the　unexpected　audience　erupted　into　the　space　before　his　cage。　　Yet　he　took　no　notice　whatever；　merely　continuing　his　pacing；　swinging　his　head　from　side　to　side；　turning　lithely　at　each　end　of　his　cage；　with　all　the　air　of　being　bent　on　some　determined　purpose。

〃That's　the　way　he's　been　goin'　on　for　two　days；〃　whimpered　his　keeper。　　〃An'　when　you　go　near　'm；　he　just　reaches　for　you。　　Look　what　he　done　to　me。〃　　The　man　held　up　his　right　arm；　the　shirt　and　undershirt　ripped　to　shreds；　and　red　parallel　grooves；　slightly　clotted　with　blood；　showing　where　the　claws　had　broken　the　skin。　〃An'　I　wasn't　inside。　　He　did　it　through　the　bars；　with　one　swipe；　when　I　was　startin'　to　clean　his　cage。　　Now　if　he'd　only　roar；　or　something。　　But　he　never　makes　a　sound；　just　keeps　on　goin'　up　an'　down。〃

〃Where's　the　key？〃　Collins　demanded。　　〃Good。　　Now　let　me　in。　　And　lock　it　afterward　and　take　the　key　out。　　Lose　it；　forget　it；　throw　it　away。　　I'll　have　all　the　time　in　the　world　to　wait　for　you　to　find　it　to　let　me　out。〃

And　Harris　Collins；　a　sliver　of　a　less　than　a　light…weight　man；　who　lived　in　mortal　fear　that　at　table　the　mother　of　his　children　would　crown　him　with　a　plate　of　hot　soup；　went　into　the　cage；　before　the　critical　audience　of　his　employees　and　professional　visitors；　armed　only　with　a　broom…handle。　　Further；　the　door　was　locked　behind　him；　and；　the　moment　he　was　in；　keeping　a　casual　but　alert　eye　on　the　pacing　Hannibal；　he　reiterated　his　order　to　lock　the　door　and　remove　the　key。

Half　a　dozen　times　the　lion　paced　up　and　down；　declining　to　take　any　notice　of　the　intruder。　　And　then；　when　his　back　was　turned　as　he　went　down　the　cage；　Collins　stepped　directly　in　the　way　of　his　return　path　and　stood　still。　　Coming　back　and　finding　his　way　blocked；　Hannibal　did　not　roar。　　His　muscular　movements　sliding　each　into　the　next　like　so　much　silk　of　tawny　hide；　he　struck　at　the　obstacle　that　confronted　his　way。　　But　Collins；　knowing　ahead　of　the　lion　what　the　lion　was　going　to　do；　struck　first；　with　the　broom…handle　rapping　the　beast　on　its　tender　nose。　　Hannibal　recoiled　with　a　flash　of　snarl　and　flashed　back　a　second　sweeping　stroke　of　his　mighty　paw。　　Again　he　was　anticipated；　and　the　rap　on　his　nose　sent　him　into　recoil。

〃Got　to　keep　his　head　downthat　way　lies　safety；〃　the　master…　trainer　muttered　in　a　low；　tense　voice。

〃Ah；　would　you？　　Take　it；　then。〃

Hannibal；　in　wrath；　crouching　for　a　spring；　had　lifted　his　head。　The　consequent　blow　on　his　nose　forced　his　head　down　to　the　floor；　and　the　king　of　beasts；　nose　still　to　floor；　backed　away　with　mouth…snarls　and　throat…and…chest　noises。

〃Follow　up；〃　Collins　enunciated；　himself　following；　rapping　the　nose　again　sharply　and　accelerating　the　lion's　backward　retreat。

〃Man　is　the　boss　because　he's　got　the　head　that　thinks；〃　Collins　preached　the　lesson；　〃and　he's　just　got　to　make　his　head　boss　his　body；　that's　all；　so　that　he　can　think　one　thought　ahead　of　the　animal；　and　act　one　act　ahead。　　Watch　me　get　his　goat。　　He　ain't　the　hard　case　he's　trying　to　make　himself　believe　he　is。　　And　that　idea；　which　he's　just　starting；　has　got　to　be　taken　out　of　him。　The　broomstick　will　do　it。　　Watch。〃

He　backed　the　animal　down　the　length　of　the　cage；　continually　rapping　at　the　nose　and　keeping　it　down　to　the　floor。

〃Now　I'm　going　to　pile　him　into　the　corner。〃

And　Hannibal；　snarling；　growling；　and　spitting；　ducking　his　head　and　with　short　paw…strokes　trying　to　ward　off　the　insistent　broomstick；　backed　obediently　into　the　corner；　crumpled　up　his　hind…parts；　and　tried　to　withdraw　his　corporeal　body　within　itself　in　a　pain…urged　effort　to　make　it　smaller。　　And　always　he　kept　his　nose　down　and　himself　harmless　for　a　spring。　　In　the　thick　of　it　he　slowly　raised　his　nose　and　yawned。　　Nor；　because　it　came　up　slowly；　and　because　Collins　had　anticipated　the　yawn　by　being　one　thought　ahead　of　Hannibal　in　Hannibal's　own　brain；　was　the　nose　rapped。

〃That's　the　goat；〃　Collins　announced；　for　the　first　time　speaking　in　a　hearty　voice　in　which　was　no　vibration　of　strain。　　〃When　a　lion　yawns　in　the　thick　of　a　fight；　you　know　he　ain't　crazy。　　He's　sensible。　　He's　got　to　be　sensible；　or　he'd　be　springing　or　lashing　out　instead　of　yawning。　　He　knows　he's　licked；　and　that　yawn　of　his　merely　says：　　'I　quit。　　For　the　I　love　of　Mike　leave　me　alone。　　My　nose　is　awful　sore。　　I'd　like　to　get　you；　but　I　can't。　　I'll　do　anything　you　want；　and　I'll　be　dreadful　good；　but　don't　hit　my　poor　sore　nose。'

〃But　man　is　the　boss；　and　he　can't　afford　to　be　so　easy。　　Drive　the　lesson　home　that　you're　boss。　　Rub　it　in。　　Don't　stop　when　he　quits。　　Make　him　swallow　the　medicine　and　lick　the　spoon。　　Make　him　kiss　your　foot　on　his　neck　holding　him　down　in　the　dirt。　　Make　him　kiss　the　stick　that's　beaten　him。Watch！〃

And　Hannibal；　the　largest　lion　in　captivity；　with　all　his　teeth；　captured　out　of　the　jungle　after　he　was　full…grown；　a　veritable　king　of　beasts；　before　the　menacing　broomstick　in　the　hand　of　a　sliver　of　a　man；　backed　deeper　and　more　crumpled　together　into　the　corner。　　His　back　was　bowed　up；　the　very　opposite　muscular　position　to　that　for　a　spring；　while　he　drew　his　head　more　and　more　down　and　under　his　chest　in　utter　abjectness；　resting　his　weight　on　his　elbows　and　shielding　his　poor　nose　with　his　mass