he expedition and
the more intelligent men began to form the evening circle, and after we
had discussed the state of the night, and the events of the day, I
called out to Baruti for his story, when, after telling us what a great
time had elapsed since he had heard it, and how by searching into the
recesses of his memory he had at last remembered it, he delivered the
story of "The Goat, the Lion, and the Serpent," in the following
manner:--

A Goat and a Lion were travelling together one day on the outskirts of a
forest, at the end of which there was a community of mankind comfortably
hutted within a village, which was fenced round with tall and pointed
stakes. The Goat said to the Lion:

"Well, now, my friend, where do you come from this day?"

"I have come from a feast that I have given many friends of mine--to the
leopard, hyena, wolf, jackal, wild cat, buffalo, zebra, and many more.
The long-necked giraffe and dew-lapped eland were also there, as well as
the springing antelope."

"That is grand company you keep, indeed," said the Goat, with a sigh.
"As for poor me, I am alone. No one cares for me very much, but I find
abundance of grass and sweet leafage, and when I am full, I seek a soft
spot under a tree, and chew my cud, dreamily and contentedly. And of
other sorrows, save an occasional pang of hunger, in my wanderings I
know of none."

"Do you mean to say that you do not envy me my regal dignity and
strength?"

"I do not indeed, because as yet I have been ignorant of them."

"What? Know you not that I am the strongest of all who dwell in the
forest or wilderness? that when I roar all who hear me bow down their
heads, and shrink in fear?"

"Indeed, I do not know all this, nor am I very sure that you are not
deceiving yourself, because I know many whose offensive powers are much
more dangerous, my friend, than yours. True, your teeth are large, and
your claws are sharp, and your roar is loud enough, and your appearance
is imposing. Still, I know a tiny thing in these woods that is much
more to be dreaded than you are; and I think if you matched yourself
against it in a contest, that same tiny thing would become victor."

"Bah!" said the Lion, impatiently, "you anger me. Why, even to-day all
who were at the feast acknowledged that they were but feeble creatures
compared with me: and you will own that if I but clawed you once there
would be no life left in you."

"What you say in regard to me is t