THE LION OF SOUTH AFRICA. 77 



the imaginary prey. Then, satisfied with himself, he 

 went away. 



Another Hottentot relates that a troop of zebras 

 was going along a straight path leading to the margin 

 of a precipice. A fine stallion formed the rear guard, 

 when suddenly, from a rock ten or twelve feet high, a 

 lion sprang at the stallion and missed him. The path 

 wound round the rock, and the lion comprehended that 

 if he could scale it at a single bound, a second spring 

 would bring him on to the back of his victim. He 

 made the attempt, but could only get sufficiently high 

 to see the zebra galloping away, beating the air with 

 his tail. He then made a second leap, and a third, 

 until he succeeded. During this time two other lions 

 had arrived, and chatting together after their fashion, 

 the old lion made them take a turn round the rock ; 

 then, leading them to the starting-point, he made the 

 leap once more in their presence, to show them what 

 must be done in future on a like occasion. 



" They were evidently talking together," said the 

 African, " but being in a low tone of voice I could not 

 comprehend a word of their conversation ; and fearing 

 that they might take a fancy to exercise their art at 

 my expense, I silently retired, leaving them in the 

 midst of their deliberations." 



