kable, and as I had it from
Mr ---, the missionary, who stated that he had several times observed
it himself, I have no hesitation in vouching for its correctness, the
more so, as I did once perceive a similar fact myself; it is, that the
fifth commandment is observed by the lions--they honour their father and
mother.

"If an old lion is in company with his children, as the natives call
them, although they are in size equal to himself, or if a number of
lions meet together in quest of game, there is always one who is
admitted by them to be the oldest and ablest, and who leads. If the
game is come up with, it is this one who creeps up to it, and seizes it,
while the others lie crouched upon the grass; if the old lion is
successful, which he generally is, he retires from his victim, and lies
down to breathe himself and rest for perhaps a quarter of an hour. The
others in the mean time draw round and lie down at a respectful
distance, but never presume to go near the animal which the old lion has
killed. As soon as the old lion considers himself sufficiently rested,
he goes up to the prey and commences at the breast and stomach, and
after eating a considerable portion he will take a second rest, none of
the others presuming to move.

"Having made a second repast, he then retires; the other lions watch his
motions, and all rush to the remainder of the carcass, which is soon
devoured. I said that I witnessed an instance myself in corroboration
of this statement, which I will now mention. I was sitting on a rock
after collecting some plants, when below me I saw a young lion seize an
antelope; he had his paw upon the dead animal, when the old lion came
up,--upon which the young one immediately retired till his superior had
dined first, and then came in for the remainder. Mercy on us! what is
that?"

"I thought it was the lion again," said Alexander, "but it is thunder;
we are about to have a storm."

"Yes, and a fierce one too," said the Major; "I am afraid that we must
break up our party and retire under cover. We have some large drops of
rain already."

A flash of lightning now dazzled them, and was followed by another, and
an instantaneous peal of thunder.

"There is no mistake in this," said Swinton "and I can tell you that we
shall have it upon us in less than a minute, so I am for my waggon."

"At all events it will wash these Hottentots sober," observed the Major,
as they all walked away to their separat