580 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 
was what Africaner called better manners than 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 like 
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 occasion, 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 
3een creeping up towards the path, to intercept the large 
stallion, which is always in the rear to defend or warn the 
sroop. The lion 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 
tnird 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, 
