170 WESTERN SERIES OF READERS. 



Most wild creatures are apparently happy when 

 they have enough to eat and a good place to sleep, 

 and are in no danger of being disturbed. How 

 contentedly a pussy-cat will blink and purr when 

 she feels that all of her immediate wants have 

 been supplied. On the whole, I believe that most 

 creatures have a pretty good time during the 

 greater portion of their lives. I certainly hope 

 that this is true, and I have no patience with any 

 one who seeks to worry or torment any living 

 creature. You should do to others as you would 

 be done by, even if the " others" are only dogs or 

 birds or horses. 



The sea-lion may be barking for very joy; and 

 as for his growls, they are only his customary sal- 

 utations to his neighbors when they get in his 

 way. Sometimes he fights, to be sure; but in spite 

 of all his quarrels, he contrives to grow very big 

 and fat. It would take a large horse to weigh as 

 much as a large sea-lion. 



Look at the picture, and you will get a good 

 idea of these creatures, even if you never saw 

 them alive on any of the " seal-rocks " that are 

 found here and there along the Pacific coast. 

 The rocks just west of San Francisco, near the 

 famous Cliff House, abound with sea-lions, and 

 they lie so near the shore that the movements of 



