of the power of the human
eye, and your opinion is a very corroborative one."

"Do not you imagine that the lion-tamers who exhibit in Europe have
taken advantage of this peculiar fact?"

"I have no doubt but that it is one of their great helps; but I think
that they resort to other means, which have increased the instinctive
fear that the animals have of them. I have witnessed these exhibitions,
and always observed that the man never for a moment took his eyes off
the animal which he was playing with or commanding.

"I have observed that also; but what are the other means to which you
allude?"

"I can not positively say, but I can only express an opinion. The most
painful and most stunning effects of a blow upon any part of the body,
not only of man but of brutes, is a blow on the nose. Many animals, such
as the seal and others, are killed by it immediately, and there is no
doubt but a severe blow on that tender part will paralyze almost any
beast for the time and give him a dread for the future. I believe that
repeated blows upon the nose will go further than any other means to
break the courage of any beast, and I imagine that these are resorted
to: but it is only my opinion, recollect, and it must be taken for just
as much as it is worth."

"Do not you think that animals may be tamed by kindness, if you can
produce in them the necessary proportion of love and fear?"

"Yes, I was about to say every animal, but I believe some must be
excepted; and this is from their having so great a fear of man, rather
than from any other cause. If their fear could be overcome, they might
be tamed. Of course there are some animals which have not sufficient
reasoning power to admit of their being tamed; for instance, who would
ever think of taming a scorpion?"

"I believe that there is one animal which, although taken as a cub, has
resisted every attempt to tame it in the slightest degree,--this is the
grizzly bear of North America."

"I have heard so too," replied Swinton; "at all events, up to the
present time they have been unsuccessful. It is an animal of most
unamiable disposition, that is certain; and I would rather encounter ten
lions, if all that they say of it is true. But it is time for us to go
to bed. Those fires are getting rather low. Who has the watch?"

The Major rose and walked round to find the Hottentot who was on that
duty, and found him fast asleep. After sundry kicks in the ribs, the
fellow at last wo