330 
OFF FOR THE SOTIK DISTRICT. 
feline odor should give no alarm, and when he has arrived within 
the limits of his spring, leaps on the devoted animal and strikes it 
to the ground. 
This mode of action gives a clew to the object of the fear¬ 
instilling roar which has made the lion so famous. 
As the lion obtains his prey by stealth, and depends for nutrition 
on the success of his hunting, it seems strange that his voice should 
be of such a nature as to inspire with terror the heart of every 
animal which hears its reverberating thunders. Yet it will be seen, 
that the creature could find no aid so useful as that of his voice. 
HIS ROAR FRIGHTENS ANIMALS. 
If the lion has been prowling about during the evening hours, 
and has found no prey, he places his mouth close to the earth, and 
utters a terrific roar, which rolls along the ground on all sides, and 
frightens every animal which may chance to be crouching near. 
Not knowing from what direction the fearful sound has come, they 
leave their lairs, and rush frantically about, distracted with terror 
and bewildered with the sudden arousing from sleep. In their heed¬ 
less career, one or two will probably pass within a convenient dis¬ 
tance of the lurking foe. 
These nocturnal alarms cause great trouble to those who travel 
into the interior of Africa. When night draws on, it is the custom 
to call a halt, and to release the draught oxen from their harness. 
A kind of camp is then made, a blazing fire is kept alight as a defense 
against the wild beasts, and the oxen are fastened either to the 
wagons or to the bushes by which the encampment is made. 
The lion comes and surveys the mingled mass of oxen, men, 
and wagons, but fears to approach too closely, for he dreads the 
blaze of a fire. In vain does he prowl around the encampment, for he 
can discover no stragglers from the protecting flame, and, more¬ 
over, finds that the watchful dogs are on the alert. So he retires to 
some little distance, and putting his mouth to the ground, pours 
forth his deepest roar. Struck with frantic terror, the stupid oxen 
break away from their halters, and quitting their sole protection, 
