THE GIRAFFE. 117 



lying down on the bank, he fell asleep. Awakened by 

 the hot rays of the sun, he perceived through a bush a 

 giraffe browsing on the leaves of a mimosa, and at a 

 few yards' distance a lion, motionless, watching the 

 giraffe, and preparing to spring upon him. He at 

 length made his spring, and, with a gigantic bound, 

 threw himself towards the head of the animal. The 

 giraffe quickly leaped aside, and so cleverly, that the 

 lion fell on his back into the middle of a thorn-bush. 

 The giraffe immediately scampered off, and the negro 

 was not slow in imitating him, not doubting but that 

 the lion would soon be on his footsteps. 



Some time afterwards eagles were seen wheeling 

 round above the mimosa. On search being made 

 the carcase of a lion was found, extended on a bed of 

 thorns. 



