116 
THE LION. 
ceeded in dispatching his treacherous acquaintance. 
44 The low booming, so peculiar to the ostrich, 
and which even experienced ears are apt to mistake 
for the subdued growl of the lion, is supposed to 
have been the consequence of this successful victory 
over the most dreaded of the denizens of the forest.” 
Amongst other curious legends treasured up by 
the Bechuanas is that relating to the lizard and the 
chameleon, which runs as follows :— 
44 Thus spoke Morimo, the great spirit, to Chame¬ 
leon, viz. :— 4 Go to men and say, As I die and am 
born again, so shall you die and be born again but 
Morimo feeling impatient to have his message 
speedily delivered, sent for the lizard, charging him 
with the same errand. The lizard soon overtook the 
sluggish chameleon, and passing him on the road 
came and said to man : 4 You shall die.’ Soon after¬ 
wards the chameleon also reached his destination, and 
delivered his friendly message ; but man refused to 
credit it, saying: 4 We are bound to believe the 
first word. 3 But in revenge they killed both the lizard 
and the chameleon; the former on account of his 
unfortunate message, and the latter because he was 
so slow ; and this is the reason why they always 
destroy these animals, whenever encountered.” 
Another of their legends runs thus :—■“ The stein- 
bock once took the liberty to ridicule the tortoise, 
on account of its sluggish movements, when the 
latter indignantly exclaimed : 4 1 can get on just as 
well as you, and challenge you to try your speed 
with me.’ Though, of course, incredulous as to the 
truth of the bold assertion, the swift antelope agreed 
