The Zoo at the Edge of the World by Eric Kahn Gale Page A

impress.
    â€œAnd impress we shall.”
    The door at the back of the circus pit opened and the audience fell still. In the silence could be heard the creaking of metal on metal and the shouts of men.
    A black iron cage whined its way through the door on rusty axles. The wheels were chipped and uneven, and the entire cage rattled with each turn.
    Inside the mobile carrier were the three apes: Trébone, Blue Boy, and Screecher. Trébone sat there silently while the others climbed the bars and pounded the ceiling.
    â€œWhat is your father doing with those guys?” Kenji asked. I could only shrug. No other animals had been brought out in cages.
    â€œThe chimpanzee and the orangutan,” Father began. “Marvelous creatures both. Stronger than most men and no less than half as clever, they are the knights of the jungle. They live in clans that number as high as a hundred and will fight wars over territory. They are powerful, savage creatures.”
    Manray was pushing the cage around the pit when Blue Boy leaped at him, reaching his thick hand between the bars. Manray dodged just in time to avoid having his vest ripped off by the chimp, and he tumbled to the ground. The audience gasped and applauded.
    â€œYes, these are indeed the knights of the jungle,” Father said. “But this, ladies and gentlemen, is the king.”
    More grinding metal came from the doorway. The crowd’s cheering quieted as they waited to see what would emerge. Even I leaned forward.
    From the darkness came the Jaguar, bracing himself inside the bouncing cage, silent.
    The guests around me rose to their feet. I could no longer see the pit for all the people in front of me.
    â€œOf course, we all know the zoo’s newest resident,” Father continued. “The natives believe jaguars descend from a god. Take one look and you’ll see what inspires the notion.” He turned and admired the Jaguar. “It’s a terrible beast. This one killed an employee of mine; that’s why we captured him. Once they develop a taste for human flesh . . .” He smiled.
    A collective gasp came from the crowd.
    â€œNot to worry!” he said cautiously. “This wall is too tall for him to jump. Once we let them loose, they won’t be able to leave the pit.” A murmur rose throughout the crowd. “Oh yes,” Father said, his eyes growing dark. “This is the finale of our show.”
    â€œBattle of the Beasts!” cried Tim, running through the back door and into the center of the pit. Father turned quickly to say something to him, but I hardly noticed. My heart was going crazy inside my chest. The skin on the palm of my right hand burned.
    â€œA jaguar’s bite is the strongest in the world.” Father kept his calm, though the crowd was wild around him. “It can crack an alligator’s skull. How will it fare against three vicious apes?”
    â€œBattle to the death!” Tim shouted again. I didn’t know what to do. Men were pulling sacks of silver and gold from their belts, making bets on who would win. I didn’t understand; these animals were in our protection. This went against every rule my father had ever given me.
    The Jaguar looked calmly into the crowd. Was he searching for me?
    The apes were raging against the bars. They knew what was happening. And they knew they wouldn’t stand a chance against a full-grown jaguar.
    â€œMarlin!” Trébone hooted desperately. “Marlin!”
    I had given them my word they wouldn’t be hurt, but my word was worthless, just like Blue Boy had said. I couldn’t control my father or anything at all. I couldn’t even save the little capybara.
    I steeled myself and squeezed between the two men in front of me. I would jump down into the pit. They couldn’t release the animals if I was in the circle. Father would be furious, but I didn’t care.
    An elbow checked me across the forehead and my