Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/53

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ALL ABOUT LIONS

At last the great horns of the buffalo tore a hole in the lion's flank and took all the fight out of it, and it turned tail and ran away. The buffalo was aroused to fury and rushed after it, but could not catch up. It then turned to wreck vengence upon the body of the lioness, tossing it up on its horns. When it was sure that there was no life left in the lioness it went off bellowing victoriously. To be sure a buffalo does not always come off best in a fight, but it never fails to make the battle remembered by its enemy. Both sides usually batter themselves to pieces.

Lions are able to move over the ground very carefully and swiftly when their great size and weight is considered. A lion will creep up to within five yards of a zebra, while a man would not get within half a mile, for the zebra is one of the most cautious of creatures. A lion will steal into a camp and strike a man down before he finds out that he is in danger. As we have said before a caged lion gives no idea of the strength, grace and beauty of the king of beasts when at home in the desert.

If you will let a fox terrier run through the lion's house in the Zoological Gardens you will see the sleepy brutes suddenly become all attention, their muscles will look as if though there were coiled springs in them, their green eyes will glisten, and their whiskers bristle. Then one gets a faint impression of what a real live lion is like. Try the experiment some day if you get the chance.