hed with an acute scent, and
are enabled to tire down their prey by a long chase. The feline tribe
are capable of very extraordinary efforts of activity and speed for a
very short time; if they fail to seize their prey at the first spring,
or after a few tremendous bounds, they generally abandon the pursuit.

"The lion can spring from nine to twelve yards at a leap, and for a few
seconds can repeat these bounds with such activity and velocity as to
out-strip the movements of the quickest horse; but he cannot continue
these amazing efforts, and does not attempt it. In fact, the lion is no
more than a gigantic cat, and he must live by obtaining his prey in the
same manner as a cat.

"In these countries, his prey is chiefly of the antelope species, the
swiftest animals on earth and what chance would he have, if he were to
give one of his magnanimous roars to announce his approach? He knows
his business better; he crouches in the rank grass and reeds by the
sides of the paths made by the animals to descend to the rivers and
pools to drink, and as they pass he makes his spring upon them.

"Now I do not consider that his obtaining his food as nature has pointed
out to him is any argument against what I consider the really noble
disposition of the lion, which is, that he does not kill for mere
cruelty, and that he is really generous unless compelled by hunger to
destroy, as I have already shown by one or two examples."

"We are convinced, my dear Swinton," said Alexander; "but now let us
have your opinion as to his being afraid to meet the eye of man."

"I consider that the lion will generally retreat before the presence of
man; but he does not retreat cowardly, like the leopard or hyena, and
others. He never slinks away, he appears calmly to survey his opponent,
as apparently measuring his prowess. I should say that the lion seems
to have a secret impression that man is not his natural prey, and
although he will not always give place to him, he will not attack him,
if, in the first place, the man shows no signs of fear, and in the
second, no signs of hostility.

"But this instinctive deference to man is not to be reckoned upon. He
may be very angry, he may be very hungry, he may have been just
disappointed in taking his prey, or he may be accompanied by the female
and cubs; in short, the animal's temper may have been ruffled, and in
this case he becomes dangerous.

"An old Namaqua chief with whom I was conversing