CATS GREAT AND SMALL 



137 



pets and safely house them behind iron bars. Yet it is remarkable 

 to notice how, during illness especially, the adult beast will permit 

 a human being to attend to it. Instances of this kind have been 

 given by Bostock, Hagenbach, Sanger and others who have been 

 brought into contact with these fine beasts. Mr. H. Lincoln Tangye 

 gives an account in his book, In the Torrid Soudan, of a pet Lion 

 kept by a friend of his at Omdurman. As a youngster this pet Lion 

 was exceedingly tractable, and exhibited from its infancy upwards a 

 great respect for its master's fist. Mr. Tangye writes 



"As a youngster the blow used to hurt, and Leo would put back 

 his ears, shut his eyes, and brace his nerves for the shock. Not 

 realizing that the strength of his master did not increase proportion- 

 ately with his own growth, he was as scared of the fist when three- 

 quarters grown as when he was a baby." This somewhat embar- 

 rassing pet resorted to a playful habit of waiting behind doors and 

 pouncing out upon unwary guests who happened to pass, "merely 

 in fun." Most Lions are unable to climb, but this one learnt the 

 difficult art, and was once surprised by his master at the top of a 

 telegraph pole, resting his chin on the summit. Panic seized him 

 when he found himself discovered. At the thought of the fist, losing 

 his presence of mind, "he missed grip, and slid with his legs 

 grasping the pole and an expression of agony on his face, from the 

 top to the bottom, landing on his tail with a terrible bump." 



During the daytime the Lion snugly ensconces himself among 

 cover of some kind. Here he reposes until the heat of the day has 

 departed. When the heavens twinkle with millions of stars then 

 Leo rouses himself to action and sets out on his hunting expeditions. 

 One writer has graphically described the nocturnal wanderings as 

 under: "With a thunderous roar he announces his setting out for 

 the nightly hunt^ all the other Lions who hear the sound from afar 

 reply in concert, but all other animals are seized with fear. The 

 howling Hyaena grows dumb; the Leopard ceases its growling; the 

 Monkeys begin to utter gurgling sounds, and fly terror-stricken into 

 the highest branches ; the lowing herd becomes silent as death ; the 

 Antelopes in mad flight burst through the bushes; the Camel 

 trembles under its load, and, ceasing to obey its driver's voice, 

 throws load and rider off and seeks safety in speedy flight; the 

 Horse rears and snorts, and with inflated nostrils rushes away; the 

 Dog, fawning, seeks protection with his master; and even the man 

 on whose ears falls for the first time the voice of the Lion in the 



