The Wit of the Wild 



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pete for her favor. Humanity has not greatly 

 departed from this natural plan. 



In any case, competition decides the matter, 

 and this competition may be one in brute 

 strength or of milder qualities, such as attrac- 

 tiveness of shape, color, ornament or voice, or a 

 combination of these. 



As the time of the year comes round when 

 mates are to be chosen, the would-be bride- 

 grooms of the first class issue their challenges 

 to all competitors. The alligators make the 

 tropical marshes resound with their hoarse bel- 

 lowings, and the stagnant pools boil as they 

 rush at one another, clashing their huge jaws 

 and lashing their mighty tails. The victor is 

 lord of the pool and of the horrid harem that 

 lurks among the reeds about its margin. 



At the same season the lion roars out his 

 defiance to all other lions, saying : " Come and 

 conquer me if you can ; the prize of beauty 

 awaits you if you are better than I ! " Then 

 the moonlit sands are dyed with the blood of 

 these kings of the desert, and when the combat 

 is finished sleek golden-eyed queens steal lightly 



*$ 110 S* 



