THE LION. 



From feveral fads related by the Do&or, it may fairly be inferred, that it 

 is not true magnanimity, but rather an infidious and cowardly difporltion, 

 mixed with a certain degree of pride, which forms the chara&er of the 

 Lion; and that uncommon degree of courage and fortitude, which he 

 fometimes appears to pollefs, is perhaps more the effect of hunger than 

 natural difpofition: unaccuftomed to meet w T ith any oppofition, it is no 

 wonder that he is foon daunted when he does, and that when he has once 

 proved by experience the refinance man is able to make againft him, he 

 fauns the unequal combat, and feeks his fafety in flight. 



The Lion will not attack any animal openly, unlefs he is urged by rage 

 or extreme hunger ; in either of thefe cafes, he is fearlefs of danger, and his 

 fury is not to be checked by any refitlance. His metho4 of feizing his prey, 

 is generally to fpring or throw himfelf on it, with one great leap from the 

 place where he lies concealed. If by chance he mhTes his aim, the Hottentots 

 unanimoully agree he will not repeat the attack, but, as if alhamed of his 

 awkwardnefs, turning towards the place from whence he fprang, he 

 meafures llowly, ftep by Hep, the exad length between the two points, as if 

 it were to afcertain the caufe of his miftake. The following narrative will 

 ferve to mew that this is his ufual mode of attack. " An elderly Hottentot, 

 in the fervice of a Chriftian, near the upper part of Su nday- rivier, obferved a 

 Lion following him at a great diftance, for two hours together: he naturally 

 concluded that the Lion only waited the approach of night to make him his 

 prey; and as he was at a conliderable diftance from home, with no weapon 

 of defence except a ftany he gave himfelf up for loft. Being, however, well 

 acquainted with the nature of the Lion, and his manner of feizing his prey, 

 he availed himfelf of the leifure he had, to confider what would be the moft 

 probable means by which he would be deftroyed ; and, at laft, providentially 

 hit upon the following method of faving his life: he looked out for what 

 is there called a klipkrans, which is a rocky place level at top, and having a 

 perpendicular precipice on one fide of it, and fitting himfelf down on the 

 edge of this precipice, he obferved, to his great fatistaclion, that the Lion alio 

 made a halt, and kept at the fame diilance as before. As foon as it began to 



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