THE LION. 87 
^^Pectation, dashed through the herd, making 
^'''ectly after the Hottentot, who, on looking 
^[^^ud and observing that the monster had 
^^*^gled him out, contrived to scramble up a 
|^®e-aloe, in the trunk of which a few steps 
been cut for the purpose of ascending to 
birds’ nests in the branches. The lion 
a spring at him, hut, missing his aim, 
to the ground. In surly silence he walked 
’■''Und the tree, casting at times a terrific look 
towardg the poor Hottentot, who had crept 
^hind the nests, which belonged to a small 
of the Loxia family, which builds its nests 
clumps, sometimes not less than ten feet in 
'‘^ameter, and containing a community of se- 
hundred individuals. Under cover of 
of these structures the Hottentot skreened 
luiself from the sight of the lion. Here, 
aviog remained silent and motionless for a 
^Considerable time, he ventured at length to 
I'Oop over the side of the nest, hoping that 
