CARNIVORA. 
very large, and came bounding over the long grass, 
not one after another, but all abreast of each other. 
I was afraid, if I allowed them to come too near us, 
and my piece should miss fire, that we should be all 
devoured by them. I therefore let go the bridle, and 
walked forwards to meet them. As soon as they 
were within a long shot of me, I fired at the centre 
one. I do not think I hit him ; but they all stopped, 
looked at each other, and then bounded away a few 
paces, when one of them stopped, and looked back at 
me. I was too busy in loading my piece to observe 
their motions as they went away, and was very happy 
to see the last of them march slowly off amongst 
the bushes. We had not proceeded above half a mile 
farther, when we heard another bark and growl close 
to us among the bushes. This was doubtless one 
of the lions before seen, and I was afraid they would 
follow us till dark, when they would have too many 
opportunities of springing on us unawares. I there- 
fore got Mr. Anderson’s call, and made as loud a 
whistling and noise as possible. We heard no more 
of them.” 
The lion, though he may frequently be considered 
as amiable for his generosity, is nevertheless ex- 
tremely capricious in the exercise of it ; and what- 
ever animal falls within his reach should calculate 
very little on its exercise. Some visitors of the 
public exhibitions of lions in this country (more 
really savage than this animal, as the dictates of their 
respective natures are different), have occasionally 
thrown to the beast in its den cats, dogs, &c. alive. 
