THE UON. 



Supposed cowardice Instances of intrepidity. 



certain degree of pride, that the general charac- 

 ter of the Jion consists: but that hunger must 

 naturally have the effect of inspiring so strong 

 and so nimble an animal with uncommon intre- 

 pidity and courage. fe From all the most credi- 

 ble accounts that I could collect concerning 

 lions/' continues this author, " as well as from 

 what I saw myself, I think I may safely con- 

 clude, that this wild beast is frequently a great 

 coward, or, at least, deficient in point of courage, 

 comparatively to his strength : on the other hand, 

 however, he sometimes shows an unusual degree 

 of intrepidity, of which I will just mention the 

 following instance, as it was related to me. 



" A lion had broken into a walled inclosure for 

 cattle,, through the latticed gate, and done consi- 

 derable damage. The people belonging to the 

 farm were well assured of his coming again by 

 the same way: in consequence of this, they 

 stretched a rope directly across the entrance, to 

 which several loaded guns were fastened in such 

 a manner that they must necessarily discharge 

 their contents into the lion's body, as soon as ever 

 he should push against the cord, as he was ex- 

 pected to do, with his breast. But the lion^ 

 which came before it was dark, having, probably, 

 some suspicions respecting the cord, struck it 

 away with his foot ; and, without betraying the 

 least fear, in consequence of the reports made by 

 the loaded pieces, went on steadily and careless 



