^6d THE LION. 



?, rope directly across the entrance, to which several 

 loaded guns were fastened in such a manner, that 

 they must necessarily discharge themselves into the 

 Lion's body as soon as ever he should push against 

 the cord, as it was expected he would, 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 conspquence of the reports 

 made by the loaded pieces, went on steadily and 

 careless of every thing, and devoured the prey he had 

 left untouched before." 



Though the Lion generally springs upon his prey 

 from some lurking-place, yet there have been in- 

 stances where he has deviated from his usual me^ 

 thod. Of these the following, related by Dr. Sparr- 

 man, is remarkable : — A Hottentot, perceiving that 

 he vv^as followed by a Lion, and concluding that the 

 animal only waited the approach of night to make 

 him his prey, began to consider of the best mode 

 of providing for his safety, and at length he adopt- 

 ed the following. Observing a piece of broken 

 ground with a precipitate descent on one side, lie 

 sat down by the edge of it ; and found, to his great 

 joy, that the Lion also made a halt, and kept at a 

 distance behind him. As soon as it grew dark, the 

 man, sliding gently forward, let himself down a 

 little below the edge of the steep; and held up his 

 cloak and iiat on his stick, at the same time gently 

 moving- them backward and forward. The Lion, 

 after a wliile, came creeping gently towards the ob- 

 ject ; and mistaking the cloak for the man himself^ 



