A TAME CHETAH. 63 



self with blood, he again slunk away into a recumbent posi- 

 tion, and apparently fell into a siesta after his dinner, during 

 which time his master managed, much to our astonishment, 

 to muzzle and blind him, without any opposition on his part, 

 and to lead him away, the animal exhibiting the utmost 

 docility. The power of the natives over wild animals and 

 reptiles is certainly very surprising; indeed, it seems to be 

 almost fabulous ; but in what the secret consists by which 

 they can tame the most venemous serpents, and reduce to 

 quiet submission the most savage and treacherous of animals, 

 is only known to themselves, as I fancy they have not im- 

 parted it to Europeans, even in these days of knowledge and 

 progress. 



