THE LION. 23 



Instance of gratitude Tame lions. 



by a disease in the jaw, that the people of the 

 fort supposed her to be dying ; and, having taken 

 off her chain, they threw the body into a neigh- 

 bouring field. Here she was found by M. Com- 

 pagnon, author of ee Travels in Bambuck," who 

 happened to be returning from the chace. Her 

 eyes were closed, her mouth open, and swarming 

 with ants. Compagnon was touched with pity 

 at the poor animal's sufferings, and having 

 washed her mouth with water, poured a small 

 quantity of milk down her throat. This simple 

 application produced a visible effect, and the 

 lioness, being carried back to the fort gradually 

 recovered. The kindness of her benefactor oc- 

 casioned such an attachment towards him, that 

 she would take nothing but from his hand ; and 

 when perfectly cured, she frequently followed 

 him about the island, with a cord round her neck, 

 like the most familiar dog. 



We are informed by Mr. Brown, that, during 

 his residence in Dar Fur, in Africa, he purchased 

 two lions, one of which was only four months 

 old. This animal, he rendered by degrees, so 

 tame, that he acquired most of the habits of a 

 dog. He went twice a week to feed on the offal 

 of the butchers, and then commonly slept for se- 

 veral hours successively. When food was given 

 them they manifested a ferocity towards each 

 other, and towards any person who approached 

 them; but, excepting on these occasions, Mr. 

 Brown never saw them disagree, or show any 



