Masterman Ready | Page 7

another animal
which destroys it. The Secretary inhabits this country where snakes
exist in numbers, that it may destroy them: in England the bird would
be of little value."
"But some animals are too large or too fierce to be destroyed by others,
papa; for instance, the elephant and the lion."

"Very true; but these larger animals do not breed so fast, and therefore
their numbers do not increase so rapidly. For instance, a pair of
elephants will not have more than one young one in the space of two
years or more; while the rabbits, which are preyed upon and the food of
so many other beasts as well as birds, would increase enormously, if
they were not destroyed. Examine through the whole of creation, and
you will find that there is an unerring hand, which invariably preserves
the balance exact; and that there are no more mouths than for which
food is provided, although accidental circumstances may for a time
occasion a slight alteration."
They continued their walk until they came to the den of the lions. It
was a large place, in closed with a strong and high wall of stone, with
only one window to it for the visitors to look at them, as it was open
above. This window was wide, and with strong iron bars running from
the top to the bottom; but the width between the bars was such that a
lion could put his paw out with ease; and they were therefore cautioned
not to go too near. 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. As it was, they
shook and rattled so that pieces of mortar fell from the stones. Tommy
shrieked; and, fortunately for himself, fell back and tumbled head over
heels, or the lion's paws would have reached him. Captain Osborn and
Mr. Seagrave ran up to Tommy, and picked him up: he roared with
fright as soon as he could fetch his breath, while the lion stood at the
bars, lashing his tail, snarling, and showing his enormous fangs.
"Take me away--take me on board the ship!" cried Tommy, who was
terribly frightened.
"What did you do, Tommy?" said Captain Osborn.
"I won't throw any more stones, Mr. Lion; I won't indeed!" cried
Tommy, looking terrified towards the animal.
Mr. Seagrave scolded Tommy well for his foolish conduct, and by
degrees he became more composed; but he did not recover himself until
they had walked some distance away from the lion's den.
They then looked at the other animals which were to be seen, Tommy
keeping a most respectful distance from every one of them. He
wouldn't even go near to a Cape sheep with a broad tail.
When they had seen everything, they went back to the gentleman's
house to dinner; and, after dinner, they returned on board.
Chapter IV
The following morning the fresh water and provisions were received on
board, and once more the Pacific stretched her broad canvas to the
winds, and there was every prospect of a rapid voyage, as for many
days she continued her passage with a fair wind and flowing sheet. But
this did not continue: it fell calm, and remained so for nearly three days,
during which not a breath of wind was to be seen on the wide expanse
of water; all nature appeared as if in repose, except