48 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE. 



thus engaged, had advanced close to his feet, and seemed 

 as if they would actually seize hold of him; but they paid 

 dearly for their imprudence, for, without discomposing the 

 majestic and steady attitude in which he stood fixed, he 

 merely moved his paw, and the next instant I beheld two 

 lying dead. In doing this he made so little exertion, that it 

 was scarcely perceptible by what means they had been killed. 

 We fired upon him, and one of the balls went through his 

 side, just between the short ribs, but the animal still remained 

 standing in the same position. We had now no doubt that 

 he would spring upon us, but happily we were mistaken and 

 were not sorry to see him move slowly away." 

 The Lion's Many instances are on record of strong 

 Affection, attachments formed by the lion for his keeper, 

 and for dogs or other animals which have been associated 

 with him. A remarkable example of this kind is related, where 

 a little dog, which had been thrown into a lion's den that 

 he might be devoured, was not only spared by the noble 

 animal, but became his companion and favourite. In a 

 moment of irritation caused by long hunger, the dog, having 

 snapped at the first morsels of food, received a blow from 

 the lion which proved fatal. From that time the lion 

 pined away, refused his food, and at length died, apparently 

 of melancholy. 



The Lion's A carpenter was employed some years ago to 

 Docility. d o some repairs to the cage of a lion at a 

 menagerie at Brussels. When the workman saw the lion 

 he drew back in terror. The keeper, on this, entered the 

 cage and led the animal to the upper part of it, while the 

 lower was refitting. He there amused himself for some time 

 playing with the lion, and being wearied he fell asleep. 

 The carpenter, having finished his work, called the keeper 

 to inspect what he had done, but the keeper made no 

 answer. Having repeatedly called in vain he became alarmed 

 and proceeded to the upper part of the cage, where, looking 



