220 
THE LION. 
home,—“ depend upon it, Erastus means to 
go after the panther himself. The old fel¬ 
low will set out and get back, and very 
likely bring the animal with him, while the 
others are talking about it.” 
“ I should like to go with him,” said Sid¬ 
ney. 
“ He would hardly be willing to take you. 
Your inexperience might spoil his sport, 
and there might be some danger. At any 
other time I presume he would be glad of 
your company; and I should not object to 
your going with him and learning a few 
lessons in woodcraft. We will talk to him 
about it. Meantime, here comes your aunt 
with her lions and tigers.” 
“How for the king of the forest,” said 
Annie, as they seated themselves. “ Why 
is he called so, aunt?” 
“That I cannot tell you,” replied Miss 
Winston. “ He is seldom or never found in 
forests or even in thick jungles, but frequents 
mostly sandy deserts or the open grassy coun¬ 
try, where a thin strip of bushes and high 
grass around the rivers and water-holes 
affords him as much cover as he wants. The 
lion is found in Asia from the Euphrates to 
