BECHUANA LEGEND. 
115 
With the Bechuanas, legends regarding the lion 
are especially rife 
“ ‘ How dare you roar ?’ said one day that beast 
to the ostrich, c Why, because I can kill game like 
yourself !’ was the proud rejoinder. 6 1 should like 
to see that/ said his offended majesty. 6 Very 
well, you shall / and pointing to a herd of zebras 
just then appearing in view, he continued: 4 You 
see those animals ?’ and with that the ostrich set 
off at full speed, and ere many minutes had elapsed, 
the brave bird was in the midst of the troop kicking 
violently to the right and left, and with such a good 
will that he laid two of his victims prostrate with so 
many blows. On seeing this, the lion felt both sur¬ 
prised and annoyed, and, in his turn, attacked the 
zebras; but all his efforts proved vain. Notwith¬ 
standing his bad luck, however, he did not despise 
partaking of his rival’s spoils, who, however, ab¬ 
stained from eating. c How/ said the lion; 6 don’t 
you eat meat ?’ c Oh, I am not particularly fond 
of it; nevertheless, if you have any to spare, just 
hand me a piece of the liver.’ Having at last satis¬ 
fied his hunger, the lion laid himself down, feigning 
to sleep. In this position he perceived the ostrich 
picking away, and gulping down sundry buds 
and gravel pebbles. 6 Aha/ thought he, 6 you 
have got no teeth; now we shall soon see who is 
master !’ with that his Majesty sprung to his feet, 
and pouncing on his unsuspecting acquaintance, he 
endeavoured to slay him. But he had reckoned 
without mine host, for the ostrich laid about him so 
lustily with his powerful legs, that ere long he sue* 
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