It was a fine sight to see eight or ten of these
noble-looking animals lying down in various attitudes, quite
indifferent apparently to the people outside--basking in the sun, and
slowly moving their tufted tails to and fro. William examined them at a
respectful distance from the bars; and so did Tommy, who had his mouth
open with astonishment, in which there was at first not a little fear
mixed, but he soon got bolder. The gentleman who had accompanied them,
and who had been long at the Cape, was relating to Mr. Seagrave and
Captain Osborn some very curious anecdotes about the lion. William and
they were so interested, that they did not perceive that Tommy had
slipped back to the grated window of the den. Tommy looked at the
lions, and then he wanted to make them move about: there was one fine
full-grown young lion, about three years old, who was lying down
nearest to the window; and Tommy took up a stone and threw it at him:
the lion appeared not to notice it, for he did not move, although he
fixed his eyes upon Tommy; so Tommy became more brave, and threw
another, and then another, approaching each time nearer to the bars of
the window.
All of a sudden the lion gave a tremendous roar, and sprang at Tommy,
bounding against the iron bars of the cage with such force that, had
they not been very strong, it must have broken them.
Pages:
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35