26 NEIGHBORS WITH CLA WS AND HOOFS. 



then to terrify him still more he redoubles the perform- 

 ances above described. lie approaches his victim, 



pushes him from the 

 path, then leaves him 



* N -KV. , and approaches him 



NO^! S, '^- \ again, and enjoys the 



agony of the wretch, 

 until at last he tears 

 him to pieces." 



8. The lion is 



Lion' 1 s Claw Unsheathed. j , i T 



said to have a pecul- 

 iar liking for the flesh of the Hottentots, and it is sur- 

 prising with what obstinacy he will follow one of these 

 unfortunate savages. A Hottentot, who endeavored to 

 drive his master's cattle into a pool of water inclosed be- 

 tween two ridges of rocks, espied a huge lion crouching 

 in the midst of the pool. Terrified at the unexpected 

 sight of such a beast, that seemed to have his eyes fixed 

 upon him, he instantly took to his heels. In doing this he 

 had presence of mind enough to run through the herd, 

 concluding that if the lion should pursue he would take 

 the first beast that presented itself. 



9. In this, however, he was mistaken. The lion broke 

 through the herd, making directly for the Hottentot, who, 

 on turning round and perceiving that the monster had 

 singled him out, breathless and half dead with fear, scram- 

 bled up one of the tree aloes, in the trunk of which a few 

 steps had luckily been cut out to reach some birds' nests 

 on the branches. At the same moment the lion made a 

 spring at him, but, missing his aim, fell upon the ground. 

 In surly silence he walked round the tree, casting at times 

 a dreadful look toward the poor Hottentot, who screened 

 himself from his sight behind the branches. 



10. Having remained silent and motionless for a long 



