her young, the lioness burst away, and soon after returned, bearing with her a sheep, which she came and laid at the huntsman’s feet.  The hunter, thus become one of the family, took occasion to make a good meal,—­skinned the sheep, made a fire, and roasted a part, giving the entrails to the young.  The lion, in his turn, came also; and, as if respecting the rights of hospitality, showed no tokens whatever of ferocity.  Their guest, the next day, having finished his provisions, returned home, and came to a resolution never more to kill any of these animals, the noble generosity of which he had so fully experienced.  He stroked and caressed the whelps at taking leave of them, and the dam and sire accompanied him till he was safely out of the forest.”

“Well, Uncle Thomas, I cannot believe that.  I think the man would have been too glad to escape, to have staid so long with such unsafe companions.”

“You are quite right, Harry, I cannot expect that you should give credit to a story which I myself disbelieve.  Here is a story about the ferocity of the lion, which is, however, beyond all, doubt.

“In the year 1816 the horses which were dragging the Exeter mail coach were attacked in the most furious manner by a lioness, which had escaped from a travelling menagerie.

“At the moment when the coachman pulled up, to deliver his bags at one of the stages a few miles from the town of Salisbury, one of the leading horses was suddenly seized by a ferocious animal.  This produced a great confusion and alarm.  Two passengers, who were inside the mail, got out and ran into the house.  The horse kicked and plunged violently; and it was with difficulty the driver could prevent the coach from being overturned.  It was soon observed by the coachman and guard, by the light of the lamps, that the animal which had seized the horse was a huge lioness.  A large mastiff dog came up and attacked her fiercely, on which she quitted the horse and turned upon him.  The dog fled, but was pursued and killed by the lioness, within about forty yards of the place.  It appears that the beast had escaped from a caravan, which was standing on the road side, and belonged to a menagerie, on its way to Salisbury fair.  An alarm being given, the keepers pursued and hunted the lioness, carrying the dog in her teeth, into a hovel under a granary, which served for keeping agricultural implements.  About half past eight, they had secured her effectually, by barricading the place, so as to prevent her escape.  The horse, when first attacked, fought with great spirit; and if he had been at liberty, would probably have beaten down his antagonist with his fore feet but in plunging he entangled himself in the harness.  The lioness, it appears, attacked him in front, and springing at his throat, had fastened the talons of her fore feet on each side of his gullet, close to the head, while the talons of her hind feet were forced into the chest.  In this situation she hung, while