48 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE.

thus engaged, had advanced close to his feet, and seemed
as if they would actually seize hold of him; but they paid
dearly for their imprudence, for, without discomposing the
majestic and steady attitude in which he stood fixed, he
merely moved his paw, and the next instant I beheld two
lying dead. In doing this he made so little exertion, that it
was scarcely perceptible by what means they had been killed.
We fired upon him, and one of the balls went through his
side, just between the short ribs, but the animal still remained
standing in the same position. We had now no doubt that
he would spring upon us, but happily we were mistaken and
were not sorry to see him move slowly away.”

The Lion’s Many instances are on record of strong

Affection. attachments formed by the lion for his keeper,
and for dogs or other animals which have been associated
with him. <A remarkable example of this kind is related, where
a little dog, which had been thrown into a lion’s den that
he might be devoured, was not only spared by the noble
animal, but became his companion and favourite. In a
moment of irritation caused by long hunger, the dog, having
snapped at the first morsels of food, received a blow from
the lion which proved fatal. From that time the lion
pined away, refused his food, and at length died, apparently
of melancholy.

The Lion’s A carpenter was employed some years ago to

Docility. do some repairs to the cage of a lion at a
menagerie at Brussels. When the workman saw the lion
he drew back in terror. The keeper, on this, entered the
cage and led the animal to the upper part of it, while the
lower was refitting. He there amused himself for some time
playing with the lion, and being wearied he fell asleep.
The carpenter, having finished his work, called the keeper
to inspect what he had done, but the keeper made no
answer. Having repeatedly called in vain he became alarmed
and proceeded to the upper part of the cage, where, looking