Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/222

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180
THE BABYHOOD OF WILD BEASTS

as can be imagined under the circumstances and lets the lion "chaw" him. Only when this onesided game gets too hot does he try to uphold his dogship's dignity. He then proceeds to give the lion a wholesome trouncing. Then the lion locks his big fore paws around the dog's neck and with its hind feet flying at the rate of a mile a minute, proceeds to "kick the stuffing out of him." The dog looks disgusted, as much as to say, "Aw, what's the use?" Then they make it up and kiss each other and after a sleep, side by side, start it all over again.

I am personally acquainted with a young, ramping lion whose name is Pompey. He has a fleecy white lamb for a playmate. They are good pals, these two, and live harmoniously under very trying conditions. Pompey has had the toothache for a week and has held his temper during this harrowing situation. Then the dentist came and extracted the aching tooth. He bore it like the little gentleman he is, but his cries were pitiful. After it was all over, he laid his poor suffering jaw between his paws and shivered with the agony of the pain. I am glad to tell you he has