H2 DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



this advance ; so, encouraged, he took up a closef 

 position, and in the gentlest manner, with the tips of 

 his fingers, scratched the male's skin. This sensa- 

 tion must have been pleasant, for Leo stretched 

 himself, and involuntarily apparently presented a 

 larger surface of his body to be tickled. Jumbo, 

 thoroughly understanding the adage of taking 

 an ell when an inch was offered him, forthwith 

 commenced a search, still keeping up the scratching 

 process. The young lion now raised his head, took 

 a surprised look at the ape, but either not dreading 

 any danger from him, or appreciating the attention 

 shown him, laid his head down again, and apparently 

 went to sleep. This conduct was sufficient encour- 

 agement to Jumbo, for immediately after he took a 

 more comfortable and closer position, and forthwith 

 commenced his hunt. The preserve evidently was 

 well stocked, from the constant manner in which he 

 moved his jaws, and from his unceasingly giving 

 utterance to a low plaintive murmur, which was in- 

 variably his custom when luxuriating on delicacies. 



The ice was now broken, and scarcely a day 

 passed, circumstances permitting, but that both the 

 lions submitted to the baboon's attentions. That 

 familiarity breeds contempt was well worth noting 

 in this acquaintance, for soon Jumbo learned to pull 

 his friends about in such an audacious and rude 

 manner, that I constantly expected to see a break 

 in the entente cordiale. 



