332 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
them with hostile intent, and there can be no doubt 
that every wild animal possesses this discriminating 
power, and would be influenced according to cir¬ 
cumstances. My own experience has led me to an 
opinion that the lion is not so dangerous as the tiger, 
although, if wounded and followed up, there cannot 
be a more formidable antagonist. 
Upon several occasions I have seen lions close to 
me when I have had no opportunity of shooting, and 
they have invariably passed on without the slightest 
signs of angry feeling. I was riding along a very 
desolate path, and a lioness, followed by five nearly 
full-grown young ones, walked quietly from the 
jungle, and they crossed within a few yards of my 
horse’s head, apparently without fear or evil disposi¬ 
tion. I well remember, at the close of a long march 
we halted beneath a large tree, which I considered 
would form an agreeable shade for our tent. I gave 
my rifle to a servant, who deposited it against the 
tree, preparatory to my dismounting, when a lioness 
emerged from the bushes, and walked unconcernedly 
through our party, within only a few feet of the 
startled horses. She disappeared without having 
condescended to increase her pace. 
Upon another occasion I had fired the grass, 
which had left a perfectly clean surface after the 
blaze. The night was bright moonlight, and I 
was standing in front of the tent door, when a large 
maned lion and a lioness crossed the open space 
within lo or 12 yards of my position, and stood 
for a few moments regarding the white tent; they 
