580 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 



was what Africaner called better manners tlian those of the 

 Namaquas. 



Here are others as droll from the same source : — 

 Passing along a vale, we came to a spot where the lion 

 appeared to have been exercising himself in the way of leap- 

 ing. As the natives are very expert in tracing the maneuvres 

 of animals by their foot-marks, it was soon discovered that a 

 large lion had crept towards a short black stump, very ]ike 

 the human form ; when within about a dozen yards, it bounded 

 on its supposed prey, when, to his mortification, he fell a foot 

 or two short of it. According to the testimony of a native 

 who had been watching his motions, and who -joined us soon 

 after, the lion lay for some time steadfastly eyeing its sup- 

 posed meal. It then arose, smelt the object, and returned to 

 the spot from which he commenced his first leap, and leaped 

 four several times, till at last he placed his paw on the 

 imagined prize. On another occa;sion, when Africaner and 

 an attendant were passing near the end of a hill, from which 

 jutted out a smooth rock of ten or twelve feet high, he 

 observed a number of zebras pressing round it, obliged to 

 keep the path, beyond which it was precipitous. A lion was 

 seen creeping up towards the path, to intercept the large 

 stallion, which is always in the rear to defend or warn the 

 troop. The Hon missed his mark, and while the zebra rushed 

 round the point, the lion knew well, if he could mount the 

 rock at one leap,. the next would be on the zebra's back, it 

 being obliged to turn towards the hill. He fell short, with 

 only his head over the stone, looking at the galloping zebra 

 switching his tail in the air. He then tried a second and a 

 third leap, till he succeeded. In the meantime two more 

 lions came up, and seemed to roar and talk away about 

 something, while the old lion led them round the rock, and 

 round it again ; then he made another grand leap, to show 

 them what he and they must do next time. Africaner added, 



