Most of the training is done while the animals are in winter quarters,
the cages being generally arranged in a semicircle or along the wall,
while the center of the main room is occupied by a big ring or circular
space inclosed by a very strong and high fence of iron bars. At first
the animals are worked in their cages, later in the ring. Lounging
about in front of the cages is a man with a long iron rod having a
sharp point. The duty of this guard is to keep watch of all the cages
where animals are being worked, and to be ready to come to the instant
relief of any of the trainers who happen to get into trouble.
Occasionally he assists them from the outside in various ways; as, for
instance, by slipping his rod between the bars and heading off an
animal which is attempting to sneak out of doing his trick. In the
main, however, he is there to do heroic service in times of emergency.
Should a lion, tiger or any other savage creature get a trainer down or
fasten its teeth or claws into his body, the watchful guard on the
outside is expected to plunge his spear into the animal, or get into
the cage with hot irons, if necessary. The use of heated irons is, of
course, only justifiable in cases of extreme peril, but more than one
trainer's life has been saved by recourse to this weapon, which quickly
cows an infuriated creature which has had a taste of blood when nothing
else will avail.