 Chapter 4 of Stories of Animal Seagocity. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Allison Hester of Athens, Georgia. Stories of Animal Seagocity by W. H. G. Kingston. Chapter 4. Donkeys. Degraded as it is supposed, they are by nature. And cruelly ill-used as donkeys too often are in England, they are fully as intelligent as horses. They are not only capable of playing all manner of tricks, but sometimes indulge in a variety of their own accord. Donkey Bob, The Policeman. Mrs. F's father-in-law had a donkey named Bob, which was kept in a field with other animals, and grazed quietly with them, but jealously guarded the entrance against all intruders. If any strange cows, sheep, or pigs ventured within his territory, Bob instantly ran at them full tilt and hunted them from the premises, kicking out his heels and fighting whenever he had the opportunity. Indeed, if he but saw them inclined to come in, he would stand in the gap and defend it bravely. His vigilance was so great that it was considered unnecessary to have a herdsman in the place. Bob was clearly convinced that it was his duty to keep that field against all intruders. Dear young reader, when you have the property of another person to watch over, guard it as effectually as did honest Bob his master's paddock. End of Donkey Bob, The Policeman. The Ass and the Door Latch. Donkeys sometimes exert their ingenuity to their own advantage, like some other creatures. A certain ass had his quarters in a shed, in front of which was a small yard. On one side of the yard was a kitchen garden, separated from it by a wall, in which was a door fastened by two bolts and a latch. The owner of the premises one morning, in taking a turn round his garden, observed the footprints of an ass on the walks and beds. Surely someone must have left the door open at night, thought the master. He accordingly took care to see that it was closed. Again, however, he found that the ass had visited the garden. The next night, curious to know how this had happened, he watched from a window overlooking the yard. At first he kept a light burning near him. The ass, however, remained quietly at his stall. After a time, to enable him to see better, he had it removed. When what was his surprise to see the supposed stupid donkey come out of the shed, go to the door, and, rearing himself on his hind legs, unfasten the upper bolt of the door with his nose. This done, he next withdrew the lower bolt, then lifted the latch and walked into the garden. He was not long engaged in his foraging expedition and soon returned with a bunch of carrots in his mouth. Placing them in his shed, he went back and carefully closed the door and began at his ease to munch the preventer he had so adroitly got possession of. The owner, suspecting people would not believe his story, invited several of his neighbors to witness the performance of the ass. Not till the light, however, had been taken away would the creature commence his operations, evidently conscious that what he was doing was wrong. A lock was afterwards put on the door, which completely baffled the ingenuity of the cunning animal. End of the ass and the door latch. The ass and the teetoler. The ass has a memory not inferior to that of a horse. This was especially noticeable in the case of an ass belonging to a carrier at Wigan. The ass and his master were accustomed to stop at a certain public house where the latter obtained a pot of beer, of which he always allowed the animal a little. At length the master turned teetotaler when his principles forbade him to stop at the public house. But the ass, whenever he reached the usual halting place, refused to go on, and no beating would induce him to do so till he had received his usual allowance of beer. The carrier was therefore obliged to buy some beer for his beast, though no longer requiring it himself. Remember what I said about bad habits, though your friends from weariness may cease to rebuke you. It is no proof that you are cured of them, or that the habits are not as objectionable as the first. End of the ass and the teetoler. The donkey and his mistress. Donkeys are capable of great affection for those who treat them well. An old woman known to Mrs. F had a donkey which usually grazed on the roadside near her cottage, and when he saw any person about to enter her abode would instantly run to the door and defend it against all intrusion till the dame herself appeared. If anyone annoyed the old woman, as the boys around would sometimes do, for the sake of seeing how the donkey would behave, he would kick at them fiercely, put them to the route, and pursue them for some distance. When the dame wished to ride, he would proceed with the greatest care and gentleness. But if any other person attempted to mount him, the ass very soon convinced them that their will and power were useless in a contest, and the effort usually ended in the rider being roughly thrown and perhaps kicked. End of the donkey and his mistress. The brave ass and his foe. I have heard of a donkey which, on one occasion, bravely did battle for himself. He happened to be feeding near a river when a fierce bulldog attacked him, but so gallantly did he strike out with his heels that his assailant was unable to fix on him. At length, the ass suddenly turned round and seized the neck of the bulldog and his teeth. The dog howled with pain and struggled to get free, but the ass had no intention as yet of letting it go. Holding it tight, he dragged it struggling into the water, going deeper and deeper. Then, kneeling down where the depth was sufficient for the purpose, he kept the dog under the surface till it was drowned. Whenever you are attacked by a spiritual or moral foe, imitate the brave ass and drown it. End of the brave ass and his foe. The baker's donkey. I met some time ago with an account of a clever donkey which was employed in drawing a baker's cart. He was so well acquainted with the houses of all his master's customers that while the baker went into one to deliver his loaves, the sagacious ass would proceed to the door of the next, at which, when he could reach the knocker, he gave a wrap-tap-tap. If unable to do so, he would stamp with his feet in a peculiar way, well known to the inmates. He never failed to stop at their doors, nor was he ever known by mistake to go to the wrong house. Be as careful to learn your school lessons now, and as exact in business matters when you grow up, as was the baker's donkey to attend to what he conceived his duty. End of the baker's donkey. The shipwrecked ass. An ass was shipped at Gibraltar on board the ISIS frigate to be sent to Captain Dundas, then at Malta. The ship, on her voyage, struck on a sandbank off Kate Degott when, among other things, thrown overboard was the poor ass. It being hoped that, although the sea was running high, the animal might reach the shore. A few days afterwards, when the gates of Gibraltar were open in the morning, the guard was surprised to see the ass present himself for admittance. On being allowed to pass, he went immediately to the stable of his former master. Not only had the animal swim safely to shore through the heavy surf, but without guide or compass had found his way from Kate Degott to Gibraltar, a distance of more than 200 miles across a mountainous and intricate country intersected by streams, and in so short a time that he could not have made one false turn. End of the shipwrecked ass, the old hawker and his donkey. An old hawker was in the habit of traversing the country with his ass, which had served him faithfully for many years. To help himself along, he used frequently to catch hold of the animal's tail. The winter wind was blowing strongly, and the snow had long been falling heavily when the old hawker found himself suddenly plunged with the ass into a deep drift. In vain, he struggled to get out and fully believed that his last hour had come. The ass succeeded better and reached the road, but after looking about and finding his master missing, he once more made his way through the drift, and then placing himself in a position which enabled the old hawker to catch hold of his tail, the fateful beast dragged him safely out. Never despised the help offered by a humble friend. We are all apt to overestimate our own strength and wisdom. End of the old hawker and his donkey. The musical ass. We have no less an authority than Dr. Franklin to prove that donkeys enjoy music. The mistress of a chateau in France, where he had visited, had an excellent voice, and every time she began to sing, a donkey belonging to the establishment invariably came near the window and listened with the greatest attention. One day, during the performance of a piece of music, which apparently pleased it more than any it had previously heard, the animal, quitting its usual post outside the window, unceremoniously entered the room and, to exhibit its satisfaction, began to bray with all its might. I need scarcely hint, after you have read the story, that you will act wisely in keeping your proper place. You may be esteemed wonderfully clever in the nursery or even at school, but when you appear among strangers at home or go out visiting, wait till you are invited to exhibit your talent, or you may be considered as audacious a donkey, as was the musical ass. I think I have told you anecdotes enough to show that donkeys are not such stupid creatures as is generally supposed, and I am very sure that, if they were better treated, their character would rise much in public estimation. End of the musical ass. End of chapter four of Stories of Animal Seagocity. Chapter five of Stories of Animal Seagocity. This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Alice and Hester of Athens, Georgia. Stories of Animal Seagocity by W. H. G. Kingston. Chapter five, Elephants. We have, I think, sufficient evidence to prove that elephants are more sagacious and possessed of greater reasoning power than any other animals. They seem, indeed, to have many of the feelings of human beings. In spite of their size, what activity do they exhibit? What wonderful judgment! How cautious they are in all their proceedings! How great is their love of regularity and good order! So gentle, too, are many of them, that the youngest infant might be safely entrusted to their keeping. And yet, if insulted or annoyed by a grown-up person, the same animal might hurl him to the ground with a blow of his trunk or crush him with his pond or his feet. I will tell you a few of the numerous stories I have heard about these wonderful creatures. The Elephant in a Well While the British troops were besieging Burtpur in India, the water in the ponds and tanks in the neighborhood becoming exhausted, it could only be obtained from deep and large wells. In this service, elephants were especially useful. One day, two of these animals, one of them large and strong, the other much smaller, came together to a well. The smaller elephant carried by his trunk a bucket, which, the larger not having one, stole from him. The smaller animal knew he could not rest it from the other, but he eyed him, watching for an opportunity of avenging himself. The larger elephant now approached the edge of the well, when the smaller one, rushing forward with all his might, pushed him fairly into the water. Ludacris, as was the scene, the consequences might have been disastrous. Should the huge animal not be got out, the water would be spoiled. At all events, his ploundering about would make it very muddy. The elephant, however, seemed in no way disconcerted and kept floating at his ease, enjoying the cool liquid and exhibiting no wish to come out of it. At length, a number of fastens used in the siege were brought, and these being lowered into the well, the elephant was induced by his driver to place them under his feet. In this way, a pile was raised sufficiently high to enable him to stand upon it. But being unwilling to leave the water, he, after a time, would allow no more fastens to be lowered, and his driver had to caress him and promise him plenty of a rack as a reward to induce him to raise himself out of the water. Thus incited, the elephant permitted more fastens to be thrown in, and at length, after some masonry was removed from the margin of the well, he was able to step out, the whole operation having occupied fourteen hours. You will probably smile at the conduct of the two huge creatures. It was curiously like that of human beings. A big boy plays a smaller one a trick. Snatches something from him. The other retaliates. An uproar is raised, and often serious inconvenience follows. These two elephants behaved just like two ill-tempered boys, and through them a whole army was doomed to suffer for many hours the pangs of thirst. Remember the golden rule, do unto others as you would that they do unto you. End of the elephant in a well. The elephant accusing his driver of theft. The following anecdote shows the elephant's perception of what is right. A large elephant was sent a few years ago to assist in piling up timber. The officer, who dispatched it, suspecting the honesty of the driver, requested the wife of a missionary to whose house the animal was sent to watch that he received his proper allowance of rice. After some time, the lady, suspecting that her charge was being defrauded of his rice, intimated her mistrust to the keeper, who, pretending such surprise at having such an imputation made against him, exclaimed in his native tongue, My dumb, do you think I would rob my child? The elephant, which was standing by, seemed aware of the subject of the conversation, and kept eyeing the keeper, who had on a bulky waist cloth. And no sooner had he uttered those words than the animal threw his trunk round him, and, untieing the waist cloth, a quantity of rice fell to the ground. End of the elephant accusing his driver of theft. The elephant and the tipsy soldier. Some years ago, a soldier stationed at Pondicherry formed a friendship with an elephant, to whom he used to give a portion of his daily allowance of liquor. One day, the soldier, getting tipsy, and being followed by the guard, ran to hide himself behind the elephant, under whose body he was in a few minutes, fast asleep. The guard approached to seize the delinquent, but, though the keeper assisted the soldiers, the elephant would allow no one to come near him, and kept whirling his trunk about, in a way which showed that he was determined to protect his charge at all costs. What was the soldier's horror the next morning, when, looking up, he found the huge animal standing over him. One step of his monstrous feet, and his life would have been crushed out. If he did not, then and there, resolve to abjure intoxicating liquor for the future, he deserved to be less fortunate another time. As he crawled out, the elephant evidently perceived the terror he was in, and, to reassure him, caressed him gently with his truck, and signified that he might go to his quarters. The animal, now seeing his friend in safety, suffered his keeper to approach and lead him away. Gratitude prompted the elephant to protect his airing friend. How sad to think that human beings are often so less grateful to those from whom they have received benefits, and of the elephant and the tipsy soldier. Elephants Helping Each Other When an army marches in India, elephants are employed in carrying field pieces, leveling roads, piling up timber, fetching water, all of which, and many other occupations, they perform with a regularity which shows they understand what they are about. Formally, indeed, they were often trained to launch ships by pushing them off the stalks with the weight of their huge bodies. Some troops, on their march, had to cross a steep and rugged hill. They could only be done by cutting away portions and laying trees to fill up the chasms. The first elephant, when conducted up to this roughly-formed road, shook his head and roared piteously, evidently convinced that it was insecure. On some alteration being made, he recommended his examination by pressing with his trunk the trees that had been thrown across. After this, he advanced with a foreleg of great caution, raising the fore part of his body, so as to throw the weight on the trunk. Thus, he examined every tree and rock as he proceeded, while frequently no force could induce him to advance till some alteration he desired had been made. On his reaching the top, his delight was evident. He caressed his keepers and threw the dirt about in a playful manner. A younger elephant had to follow. The first watched his ascent with the most intense interest, making motions all the while, as though he was assisting him by shouldering him up the declivity. As the latter neared the top, a difficult spot had to be passed when the first, approaching, extended his trunk to the assistance of his brother in distress. The younger, entwining his rounded, was thus led up to the summit in safety. The first, on this, events his delight by giving a salute, something like the sound of a trumpet. The two animals then greeted each other, as if they had been long separated and had just met after accomplishing a perilous achievement. They mutually embraced and stood face to face for a considerable time, as if whispering congratulations. The driver then made them salam to the general, who ordered them five rupees each for sweet meats. On this, they immediately returned thanks by another salam. Can you, after reading this, ever refuse to help any human beings in distress? Imitate to that sagacious elephant in never venturing on unsafe ground. Look before you leap. End of elephants helping each other. The elephant in the rotten bridge. It is seldom that an elephant can be induced to pass over ground he considers unsafe. Sometimes, however, a driver obtains such a mastery over a timid animal that he compels him to undertake what his better sense would induce him to decline. An elephant of this character was owned by a person residing in the neighborhood of Gaia. Between the house and the town was a small bridge over which the elephant had frequently passed. One day, however, he refused to go over it. He tried it with his trunk, evidently suspecting that its strength was not sufficient to bear his weight. Still, the obstinate driver urged him on with the sharp spear with which elephants are driven. At length, with cautious steps, he began the passage, still showing an extreme unwillingness to proceed. As he approached the center, loud cracks were heard when the treacherous bridge gave way and both elephant and rider were precipitated into the stream below, the latter being killed by the fall, and the former, who had proved himself the most sensible being of the two, being much injured. Let no force induce you to do what is wrong. All bad ways are like that rotten bridge. When others attempt to goad you on to do evil, tell them the story of the elephant and the rotten bridge. End of the elephant and the rotten bridge. The elephant turned nurse. Who would expect to see a huge elephant take care of a delicate little child, yet more vigilant and gentle nurses cannot be found than are some of these animals? The wife of a Mahout, or elephant driver, was frequently in the habit of giving her baby in charge of an elephant. The child would begin, as soon as it was left to itself, to crawl about, getting sometimes under the elephant's huge legs, at others becoming entangled among the branches on which he was feeding. On such occasions, the elephant would gently disengage the child by lifting it with his trunk, or removing the bowels. The elephant, it should be said, was himself chained by the leg to the stump of a tree. When the child had crawled nearly to the limits of his range, he would advance his trunk and lift it back as tenderly as possible to the spot whence it had started. Indeed, no nurse could have attended an infant with more good sense and care than did this elephant with his master's child. End of the elephant turned nurse. The wounded elephant and the surgeon. To conclude my anecdotes about elephants, I must tell you too which show even more than the other incidents I have mentioned the wonderful sense they possess. An elephant had been severely wounded and submitting to have his wound dressed, used after two or three times, to go along to the hospital and extend himself so that the surgeon could easily reach the injured part. Though the pain the animal suffered was so severe that he often uttered the most plaintive groans he never interrupted the operation, but exhibited every token of submission to the surgeon till his cure was affected. Still more curious is the following. A young elephant which had accompanied its mother to the battlefield received a severe wound in the head. Nothing could induce it to allow the injury to be attended to. At length, by certain signs and words, the keeper explained to the mother what was wanted. The sagacious animal immediately seized the young one with her trunk and, though it groaned with agony, held it to the ground while the surgeon was thus enabled to dress the wound. Day after day she continued to act in the same way till the wound was perfectly healed. End of the wounded elephant and the surgeon. End of chapter 5 of Stories of Animal Sagacity Chapter 6 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Allison Hester of Athens, Georgia. Stories of Animal Sagacity by W. H. G. Kingston. Chapter 6 Oxen The virtues of cows are more active than passive. I may sum them up by saying that they are very affectionate mothers and will sometimes, like horses and dogs, find their way across the country to the spot where they have been bred. The proud cow. Mrs. F. told me the following anecdote. Her father had four cows which every evening at milking time were driven from their field into their farm. On their way, they had to pass through the farmyard when they would endeavor to snatch as many mouthfuls of hay as they had time to secure from the haystacks. One, especially, who was accustomed to take the lead of the other cows was more particularly addicted to this trick. She was thus sometimes the last to be driven into the bear. When, however, she found that her three companions had entered before her, nothing would induce her to follow them. She would stand with her four legs just over the threshold, stretch forth her neck and move angrily. But further than this, neither coaxing, blows, nor the barking of the dog at her heels would induce her to go. The contest always ended in the rest of the cows being driven out when she would at once take the lead and walk quietly into her stall without the least persuasion. The deer he made called her the proud cow. Another Irish cow has been known to act in a similar manner. So her pride brought Mistress Cow many a whack on the back. Depend on it. If you stand on your dignity you may often suffer, as she did, end of the proud cow. The cow and her tormentor. In my younger days I had a companion who used to catch our tutor's cow by the tail and make her drag him at full speed round and round the field. One day, when he was quietly walking along the path to church, the cow aspired him and, making chase, very nearly caught him with her horns as he leaped over the nearest gate. I will tell you of another cow which was frequently annoyed by a boy amusing himself with throwing stones at her. She had borne his mischief for some time when, at length, making after him, she hooked the ends of her horns into his clothes, lifted him from the ground, carried him out of the field, and laid him down in the road. She then, satisfied with the gentle punishment she had inflicted, returned calmly to her pasture. At the end of the cow and her tormentor a cow seeking her calf cows have as much affection for their young as have other animals and it is piteous to hear them mooing when deprived of their calves. A cow had her calf taken from her and left at Bushey Park while she was driven off to Smithfield to be sold. The following morning, when it was supposed she appeared at the gate of the yard in which her calf was confined. Influenced by her love for her offspring she had broken out of the pen passed through all the streets and suburbs without being stopped by the police who naturally supposed from her quiet demeanor that the drover must be at her heels. And once in the country had quickly traversed the twelve miles which took her to her former home. It is probable that she traversed the same road to Bushey which she had followed when being driven from that place to Smithfield. In Africa the hot and taut shepherds employ a species of cows to guard their flocks of sheep. They keep the animals together with all the sagacity of scotch sheep dogs and will attack with the utmost bravery any enemy attempting to injure them. What difficulties does true love overcome if that poor dull cow could feel such love for her offspring as to overcome the usual apathy of her kind what must the feelings of a human mother be towards her children can you then ever carelessly wound yours by misconduct and of the cow seeking her calf a savage bull tamed by kindness a savage bull was kept in a farm yard constantly chained on account of its fierceness a gentleman who went to stay at the farm was in a special object of dislike to the animal one night during a tremendous storm of thunder and lightning the bull was heard to roar piteously evidently alarmed at the strife of the elements the servants were ordered to lead the bull from its open shed into a closed stable where it would be less exposed but they were afraid to go the visitor therefore compassionating the animal although it had shown itself his determined foe went out into the yard here he found the bull lying on its back having in its struggles to get free almost torn the ring through the gristle of its nose no sooner did he appear than the creature rose and by its spawning actions showed how delighted it was to obtain the companionship of a human being now quiet as a lamb it allowed the stranger to lead it into the stable and the next morning when he went to visit it it endeavored to express its gratitude by rubbing its nose against him from that day forward as a friend while it remained as savage as before towards everyone else there are times when the most savage hearts can be touched wait for them and then apply the soothing balm of gentleness end of a savage bull tamed by kindness the faithful buffalo ferocious in aspect as is the long hairy skinned buffalo properly the bison of America and savage when attacked yet it is capable of devoted affection towards its own kind a party of hunters were riding on the prairies when two fine buffalo bulls were seen proceeding along the opposite side of a stream one of the hunters took aim at the nearest buffalo which was crossing with his haunches towards him and he plunged away on three legs the other hanging useless the hunter leaping on his horse put spurs to its blanks and in three minutes he and his companions were close on the bull to his astonishment and the still greater surprise of the two older hunters the unhurt bull stuck to his comrade side without flinching he fired another shot which took effect in the lungs of the first buffalo the second sheared off for a moment but instantly returned to his friend the wounded buffalo became distressed and slackened his pace the unwounded one not only retarded his but coming to the rear of his friend stood with his head down offering battle here indeed was devotion the sight was to all three of the hunters a sublime one they could no more have accepted the challenge of this brave creature than they could have smitten daemon at the side of pithias the wounded buffalo ran on to the border of the next marsh and in attempting to cross fell head long down the steep bank not till that moment when courage was useless did his faithful companion seek his own safety in flight the hunters took off their hats and gave three parting cheers as he vanished on the other side of the wood end of the faithful buffalo the affectionate buffalo bull the cow buffaloes are frequently attracted by a ruse of the Indians which they call making a calf one of the party covers himself with a buffalo skin and another with the skin of a wolf they then creep on all fours within sight of the buffaloes when the pretended wolf jumps on the back of the pretended calf which bellows an imitation of the real one crying for assistance a white man and an Indian were hunting together at length a solitary bull and cow were seen in the distance after the Indian personating the calf had bellowed for a short time the cow ran forward and attempted to spring towards the hunters but the bull seeming to understand the trick tried to stop her by running between them the cow now dodged and got round him and ran within 10 or 15 yards of them with the bull close at her heels when both men fired and brought her down the bull instantly stopped short and bending over her to help her up with his nose evencing the most persevering affection for her nor could they get rid of him so as to cut up the cow without shooting him also a cruel reward to the noble animal for his conjugal affection this account which is mentioned by Mr. Kane the artist and that previously given shows that these animals are capable of great affection for each other but in general they leave their wounded comrades to shift for themselves end of the affectionate buffalo bull the kind ox and the sheep I have to tell you of an instance of the benevolence of an ox oxen may possess many virtues but are not in the habit of making a parade of them sheep are sometimes seized with bits when they fall on their back and are unable of themselves to regain their legs while in this helpless position they are sometimes attacked by birds of prey which tear out their eyes and otherwise injure them an unfortunate sheep had fallen in the way I have described and was in vain endeavouring to struggle to its feet when an ox grazing near observed what had happened going up to it it carefully turned the animal over and when it had regained its feet walked away and went on feeding as before satisfied that it had done what was wanted my young friends tried to help those in distress though there may be as much difference between you and them as between that ox and the sheep end of the kind ox and the sheep the courageous bull feeding with an account of a bull which fed on the savannas of Central America he had gored so many cattle that he was at length caught with a lasso and to prevent him doing further mischief the tips of his horns were blunted some weeks after a cow belonging to his herd was found killed by a jaguar and from the state of the bull's head and neck which were fearfully torn and evident that he had fought bravely for the animals under his care it was now seen that it would have been wiser not to have deprived the defender of the herd of his weapons to enable him to do battle in the future he was secured his wounds were dressed and his horns made sharp again the body of the cow having been preserved from the birds and beasts of prey during the day was turned out again in the evening the jaguar as expected returned at night when a furious battle took place the next morning the jaguar was found dead pierced through and through close by the cow while the bull which stood near bleeding from many a wound was seen to rush ever in and on against his now helpless antagonist end of the courageous bull the brave bull and the wise pig a pig had been stolen by two men who were driving it at night along an unfrequented path in the neighborhood of Rotherham as the pig squeaked loudly they feared they might be betrayed and were about to kill it the pig however struggled violently and had already received a wound when it managed to escape into a neighboring field still louder with blood flowing from its wound the robbers pursuing the pig found themselves face to face with a large bull which had till now been grazing quietly apparently understanding the state of affairs in compassionating it may be presumed the pig he ran fiercely at the men compelling them to fly for their lives it was only indeed by leaping desperately over the hedge that they escaped an ugly toss from the horns of the animal in vain did they wait in the hope of recovering the pig Piggy having found a powerful friend was too wise to desert him and kept close to his heels till the crowing of the cocks in the neighboring farms warned the robbers to make their escape end of the brave bull and the wise pig Part 1 of Chapter 6 of Stories of Animal Seagocity Part 1 of Chapter 7 of Stories of Animal Seagocity This is a LibriVox recording a LibriVox recording is in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org This reading by Allison Hester of Athens, Georgia Stories of Animal Seagocity by W. H. G. Kingston Chapter 7 Savage and Other Animals The Lion and His Keeper The Majestic Step The Bold Look The grace and strength of the lion have obtained for him the title of King of Beasts He is greatly indebted however to the imagination of the poet for the noble qualities which he is supposed to possess He is though capable of gratitude towards those from whom he has received kindness often treacherous and revengeful and Dr. Livingston considers him an errant coward The stories however which I have to narrate describe his better qualities Mrs. Lee tells us of a lion which was kept in the menagerie at Brussels The animal's sale requiring the workers the keeper led him to the upper portion of it where after playing with him for some time they both fell asleep The carpenter who was employed in the work below wishing to ascertain whether it was finished as desired called the keeper to inspect what he had done receiving no answer he climbed up when seeing the keeper and the lion thus asleep side by side his voice awoke the lion which gazing fiercely at him for a moment placed his paw on the breast of his keeper and lay down to sleep again on the other attendance being summoned they aroused the keeper who on opening his eyes appeared in no way frightened but taking the paw of the lion shook it and quietly led him down to the lower part of the den end of the lion and his keeper the generous lion and his assailants the custom existed till lately on the continent of having combats between wild animals and dogs although they were very different from the spectacles exhibited in the days of ancient Rome it had been arranged that a battle should take place between a lion and four large bull dogs the lion released from his den stood looking round him in the arena when the dogs were let loose three of them however turned tail one alone having the courage to attack him the lion crouching down as the dog approached stretch him motionless with one stroke of his paw then drawing the animal towards him almost concealed him with his huge four paws it was believed that the dog was dead in a short time however it began to move and was allowed by the lion to struggle up onto its feet but when the dog attempted to run away the lion with two bounds reached it showing it how completely it was in his power pity or it may have been contempt now seemed to move the heart of the generous lion he stepped back a few paces and allowed the dog to escape through the door open for the purpose while the spectators uttered loud shouts of applause end of the generous lion and his assailants the grateful lion a remarkably handsome African lion was being sent to the coast where it was to be placed on board ship to be carried to France when it fell ill its keepers supposing that it would not recover left it to die on the wild open side of the mountain which they were at the time crossing there it lay on the point of perishing when a traveler who had been shooting in the interior of the country happened to pass that way seeing the condition of the noble looking animal he gave it some new milk from the goats which he had in his camp the lion drank it eagerly and at once began to revive showing his gratitude by licking the hand of the benevolent stranger the traveler continued his kind offers to the poor beast which in consequence of his care completely recovered when the traveler moved on the lion accompanied his camp and became so attached to his benefactor that he followed him about everywhere taking food from his hand and being in every respect became as a dog end of the grateful lion the tiger and his companions on one of her voyages from china the pit east indian man had on board among her passengers a young tiger he appeared to be as harmless and playful as a kitten and allowed the utmost familiarity from everyone he was especially fond of creeping into the sailor's hammocks and while he lay stretched on the deck he would suffer two or three of them to place their heads on his back as upon a pillow now and then however he would at dinner time run off with pieces of their meat and though sometimes severely punished for theft he bore the chastisement and received with the patience of a dog his chief companion was a terrier with whom he would play with all sorts of tricks tumbling and rolling over the animal in the most amusing manner without hurting it he would also frequently run out on the bow sprit and climb about the rigging with the agility of a cat on his arrival in england he was sent to the menagerie at the tower while there another terrier was introduced into his den possibly he may have mistaken it immediately became attached to the dog and appeared uneasy whenever it was taken away now and then the dangerous experiment was try of allowing the terrier to remain while the tiger was fed presuming on their friendship the dog occasionally ventured to approach him but the tiger showed his true nature on such occasions by snarling in a way which made the little animal quickly retreat he had been in england two years when one of the seamen of the pit came to the tower the animal at once recognized his old friend and appeared so delighted that the sailor begged to be allowed to go into the den the tiger on this rubbed himself against him licked his hands and falled on him as a cat would have done the sailor remained in the den for hours or more during which time the tiger kept so close to him that it was evident he would have some difficulty in getting out again without the animal making his escape at the same time the den consisted of two compartments at last the keeper contrived to entice the tiger to the inner one when he closed the slide and the seamen was liberated great is the danger of associating with those of bad morals pleasant and friendly as they may seem and of the tiger and his companions the tigress and her young the tigress generally takes much less care of her young than does the lioness of her welps occasionally however she shows the same maternal affection two young tiger cubs had been found by some villagers their mother had been ranging in quest of prey they were put into a stable where during the whole night they continued to make the greatest possible noise after some days during which it was evident that their mother had been searching for them in every direction she at length discovered the place where they were confined and replied to their cries with tremendous howlings the keeper fearing she would break into the stable and quickly wreak her vengeance on his head set the cubs at liberty she at once made her way to them and before morning had carried them off to an adjoining jungle if that savage tigress could thus risk the loss of her life for the sake of her cubs think what must be your mother's love for you do you try to repay her in some part for all her care and tenderness by your affection by doing all she wishes and what you know is right whether she sees you or not trying not in any way to vex her but to please her in all things and of the tigress and her young the wolf and his master even a wolf savage as that animal is may if caught young and treated kindly become tame a story is told of a wolf which showed a considerable amount of affection for its master he had brought it up from a puppy and it became as tame as the best trained dog obeying him in everything having frequently to leave home and not being able to take the wolf with him he sent it to a menagerie where he knew it would carefully be looked after at first the wolf was very unhappy and evidently pined for its absent master at length resigning itself to its fate it made friends with its keepers and recovered its spirits fully 18 months had passed by when its old master returning home paid a visit to the menagerie immediately he spoke the wolf recognized his voice and made strenuous efforts to get free on being set at liberty it sprang forward and leaped up and caressed him the dog its master however left it with its keepers in three years passed away before he paid another visit to the menagerie notwithstanding this lapse of time the wolf again recognized him and exhibited the same marks of affection on his master again going away the wolf became gloomy and desponding and refused its food so that fears were entertained in his life it recovered its health however and though it suffered its keepers to approach exhibited the savage disposition of its tribe towards all strangers the history of this wolf shows you that the fiercest tempers may be calmed by gentleness end of the wolf and his master foxes their domestic habits errant thieves as foxes are with regard to their domestic virtues Mrs. F assures me that they eminently shine both parents take the greatest interest in rearing and educating their offspring they provide in their burrow a comfortable nest lined with feathers for their newborn cubs should either parent perceive in the neighborhood of their abode the slightest sign of human approach they immediately carry their young to a spot of greater safety sometimes many miles away they usually set off in the twilight of a fine evening the papa fox having taken a survey all round marches first the young ones march singly and mama brings up the rear on reaching a wall or bank papa always mounts first and looks carefully around rearing himself on his haunches to command a wider view he then utters a short cry which the young ones understanding as come along instantly obey all being safely over mama follows pausing in her turn on the top of the fence when she makes a careful survey especially rearward she then gives a responsive cry answering to all right and follows the track of the others thus the party proceed on their march repeating the same precautions at each fresh barrier when peril approaches the weary old fox instructs his young ones to escape with turns and doublings on their path while he himself will stand still on some brow or knoll where he can both see and be seen having thus drawn attention to himself he will take to flight in a different direction occasionally while the young family are deporting themselves near their home if peril approach the parents utter a quick peculiar cry commanding the young ones to hurry to earth knowing that in case of pursuit they have neither strength nor speed to secure their escape they themselves will then take to flight and seek some distant place of security the instruction they afford their young is varied sometimes the parents toss bones into the air for the young foxes if the little one fails to seize it before it falls to the ground the parent will snap at him and reproof if he catches it cleverly Papa growls his approval and tosses it up again this sport continues for a considerable time as I have said no other animals so carefully educate their young in the way they should go as does the fox he is a good husband an excellent father capable of friendship and a very intelligent member of society but all the while it must be confessed an incorrigible rogue and thief do not pride yourself on being perfect because you possess some good qualities consider the many bad ones which counteract them and strive to overcome those and of foxes their domestic habits the fox and the wild foul this F gave me the following account of the ingenious stratagem of a fox witnessed by a friend he was lying one summer's day under the shelter of some shrubs on the bank of the tweed when his attention was attracted by the cries of wild foul accompanied by a great deal of fluttering and splashing on looking round he perceived a large brood of ducks which had been disturbed by the drifting among them after circling in the air for a little time they again settled down on their feeding ground two or three minutes elapsed when the same event again occurred a branch drifted down with the stream into the midst of the ducks and startled them from their repast once more they rose upon the wing clamoring loudly but when the harmless bow had drifted by settled themselves down upon the water as before this occurred so frequently that at last they scarcely troubled themselves to flutter out of the way even when about to be touched by the drifting bow the gentleman meantime marking the regular intervals at which the fur branches succeeded each other in the same track looked for a cause and perceived at length higher up the bank of the stream a fox which having evidently set them a drift was eagerly watching their progress and the effect they produced satisfied with the result cunning reynard had at last selected a larger branch of spruce fur than usual and crouching himself down on it set it adrift as he had done the others the birds now well trained to indifference scarcely moved till he was in the midst of them when making rapid snaps right and left he secured two fine young ducks as his prey and floated forward triumphantly on his raft while the surviving fowls clamoring in terror took to flight and returned no more to the spot end of the fox and the wild fowl the laborer and the sly fox a laborer going to his work one morning caught sight of a fox stretched out at full length under a bush believing it to be dead the man drew it out by the tail and swung it about to assure himself of the fact perceiving no symptoms of life he then threw it over his shoulder intending to make a cap of the skin an ornament his cottage wall with the brush while the fox hung over one shoulder his mattock balanced on the other the point of the instrument as he walked along now and then struck against the ribs of the fox which not so dead as the man supposed objected to this proceeding though he did not mind being carried along with his head downward losing patience he gave a sharp snap at that portion of the laborer's body near which his head hung the man startled by this sudden attack threw the fox and mattocked the ground when turning round he saw the live animal making off at full speed end of the laborer and the sly fox the fox and the hen roost I cannot help fancying that Irish foxes are even more cunning than their brethren in other parts of the world I have heard so many accounts of their wonderful doings near Budavent where some of Mrs. F's family resided there happened to be a hole in the hatch of the foul house a fox finding it out sprang down through the aperture and slew and feasted all the night to his heart's desire the intruder however had not reflected that he might be unable to secure his retreat by the way through which he had entered to spring upward especially after a heavy supper was a laborious effect and no doubt the villain had grown sufficiently uneasy in his mind before the early hour at which the farm servant opened the door to liberate the fouls when the door was opened the man beheld the poacher in the midst of his slaughtered game cudgel in hand he sprang in and fastened the door behind him ready for a duel with master Reynard at close quarters but well the rascal knew that discretion is the better part of valor and that he who fights runs away may live to fight another day so after being hunted about the house for some time he seized an opportunity when the man stooped to aim a decisive blow at him to spring upon his assailants back and thence leaped through the aperture in the roof which he could not otherwise have reached thus he made his escape it would have been amusing to see the countenance of the man when he found his fancied victim vanished from his sight like the wizard of a fairy tale cunning rogues often get trapped like the fox when they hope to enjoy their spoil in security beware when you have such a one to deal with that he does not spring on your back and leave you to be answerable for his crime to you my young friend I would say you cannot be too cautious in dealing with what is wrong you may fancy yourself able to cope with it but it may prove too cunning for you better keep out of its way till you have gained strength and wisdom and a fox in the hen roof the fox in a plow furrow the hero of a scotch story escaped from his foes by making his way down the course of a stream that no trace of his footsteps might be found equally sagacious was an Irish fox which pursued by the hounds was seen by a farmer while he was plowing a field to run along in the furrow directly before him while wondering how it was that the sly creature was pursuing this course he heard the cry of dogs and turning round saw the whole pack at a dead stand near the other end of the field at the very spot where Reynard had entered the newly formed trench the fox had evidently taken this ingenious way of eluding pursuit and the farmer admiring the cleverness of the animal allowed it to get off without betraying its whereabouts end of the fox in a plow furrow the fox and the badger long live old Ireland a countryman was making his way along the bank of a mountain stream in Galloway he caught sight of a badger moving leisurely along a ledge of rock on the opposite bank the sound of the huntsman's horn at the same moment reached his ears followed by the well-known cry of a pack of dogs as he was looking round to watch for their approach he caught sight of a fox making his way behind the badger among the rocks and bushes the badger continued his course while the fox after walking for some distance from his rear leaped into the water scarcely had he disappeared when on came the pack at full speed in pursuit the fox however by this time was far away floating down the stream but the dogs instantly set upon the luckless badger and tore him to pieces before they discovered they had not got reigned in their clutches evil doers seldom scrupled to let others suffer so that they may escape keep all together out of the places frequented by such end of the fox and the badger the fox and the hayers I have still another story to tell about cunning Reynard daylight had just broke when a well-known naturalist gun in hand wandering in search of specimens observed a large fox making his way along the skirts of a plantation Reynard look cautiously over the turf wall into the neighboring field longing evidently to get hold of some of the hayers feeding in it well aware that he had little chance of catching one by dent of running after examining the different gaps in the wall he fixed on one which seemed to be the most frequented and laid himself down close to it in the attitude of a cat watching a mouse-hole he next scraped a small hollow in the ground to form a kind of screen now and then he stopped to listen or take a cautious peep into the field this done he again laid himself down and remained motionless except when occasionally his eagerness induced him to reconnoiter the feeding hayers one by one as the sun rose they made their way from the field to the plantation several passed but he moved not except to crouch still closer to the ground at length two came directly towards him the involuntary motion of his ears though he did not venture to look up showed that he was aware of their approach like lightning as they were leaping through the gap Reynard was upon them and catching one killed her immediately he was decamping with his booty when a rifle ball put an end to his career end of the fox and the hayers birdie the arctic fox I must tell you one more story about a fox and a very interesting little animal it was though not less cunning than its relatives in warmer regions Mr. Hayes the arctic explorer a beautiful little snow white fox which was his companion in his cabin when his vessel was frozen up during the winter she had been caught in a trap but soon became tame and used to sit in his lap during meals with her delicate paws on the cloth a plate and fork were provided for her though she was unable to handle the fork herself and little bits of raw venison which she preferred to season food when she took the morsels into her mouth her eyes sparkled with delight she used to wipe her lips and look up at her master with an expression perfectly irresistible sometimes she exhibited much impatience but a gentle rebuke with a fork on the tip of the nose was sufficient to restore her patience when sufficiently tame she was allowed to run loose in the cabin but she got into the habit of looking over the shelves without much regard for the valuable and perishable articles lying on them she soon also found out the bull's eye overhead through which the cracks round which she could sniff the cool air close beneath it she accordingly took up her abode and thence she used to crawl down when dinner was on the table getting into her master's lap and looking up longingly and lovingly into his face sometimes putting out her little tongue with impatience and barking if the beginning of the repast was too long delayed to prevent her climbing she was secured by a slight chain this she soon managed to break and once having performed the operation she did not fail to attempt it again to do this she would first draw herself back as far as she could get and then suddenly dart forward in the hope of snapping it by the jerk and though she was thus sent reeling on the floor she would again pick herself up panting as if her little heart would break shake out her disarranged coat and try once more when observed however she would sit quietly down cock her head cunningly to one side follow the chain with her eye along its whole length to its fastening on the floor walk leisurely to that point hesitating a moment and then make another plunge all this time she would eye her master sharply and if he moved she would fall down on the floor at once pretending to be asleep she was a very neat and cleanly creature everlastingly brushing her clothes and bathing regularly in a bath of snow provided for her in the cabin this last operation was her great delight she would throw up the white flakes with her diminutive nose rolling about and burying herself in them wipe her face with her soft paws and then mount to the side of the tub looking round her knowingly embarking the prettiest bark that ever was heard this was her way of enforcing admiration and being now satisfied with her performance she would give a goodly number of shakes to her clean coat then happy and refreshed crawl into her airy bed in the bull's eye to go to sleep mister haze does not tell us what became of birdie I am afraid that her fate was a sad one end of birdie the arctic fox end of part one of chapter seven savage and other animals part two of chapter seven of stories of animal sagacity this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Allison Hester of Athens, Georgia stories of animal sagacity by W. H. G. Kingston part two of chapter seven savage and other animals the polar bear and her cubs the monarch of the arctic regions the monstrous white bear reigned supreme savage and ferocious as is his consort as well as he she shows the most utmost affection for her young I have a sad tale to tell the crew of an exploring vessel in the arctic seas had killed a walrus and set fire to part of the blubber the steam of the flesh drew from afar towards it a she-bear and her two cubs putting their noses to the tempting mess they began to eat it eagerly the seaman seeing this threw other pieces on the ice nearer to the ship the bear in cautiously approached carrying off the pieces which she bestowed on her cubs and though evidently famished taking but a small portion herself the thoughtless sailors caught the two cubs and again firing wounded the mother though she herself was barely able to crawl to the spot where they lay she carried to them the last lump of blubber endeavoring to make them eat it discovering they were unable to do so she endeavored to raise first one and then the other but in vain she now began to retreat but her motherly feelings for her though conscious of the danger she was running she returned to where they lay moaning mournfully several times did she thus behave when seemingly convinced that her young ones were cold and helpless she cast a reproachful glance towards the vessel whence the cruel bullets had proceeded and uttered a low growl of angry despair which might have moved the hearts a shower of musket bullets however laid her low between her two cubs and she died licking their wounds you cry shame on the rough sailors for their cruelty yes they acted cruelly because they were thoughtless of the feelings of the poor bear ask yourself dear young friend if you are ever thoughtless of the feelings of those who merit your tenderest love if you are ashamed on yourself and endeavor in future to regard them first of all things end of the polar bear and her cubs the honey seeker and the bear the indian believes the bear to be possessed not only of a wonderful amount of sagacity but of feelings akin to those of human beings though most species are savage when irritated some of them occasionally exhibit good humor and kindness a story is told of a man in Russia who on an expedition in search of honey climbed into a high tree the trunk was hollow and he discovered a large cone within he was descending to obtain it when he stuck fast unable to extricate himself and too far from home to make his voice heard he remained in that uncomfortable position for two days sustaining his life by eating the honey he had become silent from despair when looking up what was his horror to see a huge bear above him tempted by the same object which had led him into his dangerous predicament and about to descend into the interior of the tree bears very wisely when getting into hollows of rocks go tail in first that they may be in a position to move out again when necessary no sooner in spite of his dismay did the tail of the bear reach him than the man caught hold of it the animal astonished at finding some big creature below him when he only expected to meet with a family of bees against who stings his thick hide was impervious quickly scrambled out again dragging up the man who probably shouted right lustily be that as it may the bear waddled off at a quick rate and the honey seeker made his way homeward to relate his adventure and relieve the anxiety of his family end of the honey seeker and the bear the good natured bear and the children the brown bear which lives in Siberia may be considered among the most good natured of his tribe Mr. Atkinson who traveled in that country tells us that some peasants a father and a mother had one day lost two of their children between four and six years of age it was soon evident that their young ones had wandered away to a distance from their home and as soon as this discovery was made they set off in search of them having proceeded some way through the wilds they caught sight in the distance of a large animal which as they got nearer they discovered to be a brown bear and what was their horror to see within its clutches their lost young ones their sensations of dismay were exchanged for astonishment when they saw the children running about laughing round the bear sometimes taking it by the paws and sometimes pulling it by the tail the monster evidently amused with their behavior treated them in the most affectionate manner one of the children now produced some fruit with which it fed its shaggy playfellow while the other climbed up on its back and sat there fearlessly urging its strange steed to move on the parents gave way to cries of terror at seeing the apparent danger to which their offspring were exposed the little boy however having slipped off the bear's back the animal hearing the sound of their voices left the children and retreated quietly into the forest end of the good natured bear and the children the wise hare and her pursuers I will now tell you a story of a very different animal the timid little hare which has to depend for safety not like the bear on strength but on speed and cunning a poor little hare was one day closely pursued by a brace of gray hounds when seeing a gate near she ran for it the bars were too close to allow the hounds to get through so they had to leap over the gate as they did so the hare perceiving that they would be upon her the next instant turned around and ran again under the gate where she had just before passed the impetus of the hounds had sent them a considerable distance and they had to now wheel about and leap once more over the upper bar of the gate again she doubled and returned by the way she had come and thus going backwards and forwards the dogs followed till they were fairly tired out while the little hare watching her opportunity happily made her escape you may learn a lesson even from this little hare never yield to difficulties persevere and you will surmount them at last end of the wise hare and her pursuers the cunning wolf 200 years ago there were wolves in Ireland and it appears that they were as cunning as the foxes of the present day a man traveling as was the custom in those times on horseback with a sword by his side was passing between two towns some three miles from each other when he was attacked by a wolf he drove him off with his sword but again and again the animal assaulted him he had nearly reached the town to which he was going when he met a friend who was unarmed whom he told of the danger he had encountered and as he believed himself now safe from attack he gave him the sword for his defense the wolf had been watching this proceeding evidently intent on attacking the person who was traveling without a sword when he saw that the first he had attacked was now defenseless he made after him at full speed and overtaking him before he got into the town leaped upon him unarmed as he now was and deprived him of life when striving for an object continue your efforts and be cautious as at the first till you have gained it end of the cunning wolf the tiger and the pareya dog I have told you of a friendship formed between a tiger and a dog I will now narrate another tale which speaks well for the good feeling of both animals in India it is the cruel custom when a wandering dog found to throw it into a tiger's cage for the purpose of getting rid of it it happened that one of these pareya dogs was thrust into the den of the savage beast the dog however instead of giving himself up for lost stood on the defensive in the corner of the cage and whenever the tiger approached seized him by the lip or neck making him roar piteously the tiger savage and he wanted food continued to renew the attack with the same result till at length the larger animal began to show a respect for the courage of the smaller one and an understanding was finally arrived at between them at last a mess of rice and milk was put into the cage of the tiger when he invited the dog to partake of it and instead of treacherously springing on him as some human beings on their foe allowed him to feed and quiet from that day the animals not only became reconciled but a strong attachment spring up between them the dog used to run in and out of the cage looking upon it as his home and when the tiger died he long mourned the loss of his friend and former antagonist observe how that poor outcast dog by his courage and perseverance preserved his life and indeed gained a victory in spite of the fierce assaults of his savage foe will you act less courageously when attacked by the ridicule, the abuse or the persuasions of those who may try to drag you from the path of duty and of the tiger and the parea dog the doe, Shammy and her young an agile inhabitant of the lofty Alps, the graceful Shammy shows the greatest affection for her young a swiss hunter while pursuing his dangerous sport observed a mother Shammy and her two kids on a rock above him they were sporting by her side leaping here and there around her while she watched their gambles she was ever on the alert lest an enemy should approach the hunter climbing the rock drew near pretending if possible to capture one of the kids alive no sooner did the mother Shammy observe him then dashing at him furiously she endeavored to hurl him with her horns down the cliff the hunter, knowing he might kill her at any moment drove her off, fearing to fire lest the young ones should take to flight he was aware that a deep chasm existed between them she believed the escape of the animals to be cut off what was his surprise therefore when he saw the old Shammy approach the chasm and stretching out her fore and hind legs thus form with her body a bridge across it as soon as she had done this she called on her young ones and they sprang one at a time on her back and reached the other side in safety by a violent effort she sprang across after them and soon conducted her charges beyond the reach of the hunter's bullets trust your mother she, in most cases will find means to help you out of trouble the captured wolf I have very little to say in favor of wolves they are generally as cowardly in their adversity as they are savage when at liberty I give you the following story however which I believe to be true an English sportsman had been hunting during the winter in Hungary he was returning in a sleigh one evening to the village where he was to remain for the night the peasant owning the sleigh sitting behind and a boy driving as they passed on the corner of a wood a wolf was seen to rush out and give chase the peasant shouted to the boy a wolf, a wolf drive on, drive on obeying the order with a whip and shout the boy urged the horses to full speed one glance round showed him the savage animal close behind the wolf was gaining upon them fast the village was scarcely 200 yards off the owner however saw that the wolf would be upon them before they could reach it frantically they shouted that she was career taking another glance behind him the peasant saw the fierce panting beast about to make his fatal spring a thought struck him seizing the thick sheepskin which covered the sleigh he threw it over his head scarcely had he done so when the wolf sprang upon his back and gripped hold of the skin in an instant more it would have been torn from him when raising both his hands he grasped the wolf's head and neck with all his strength hugging him with an iron clutch to his shoulders on, on he shouted to the almost paralyzed driver the courageous fellow still holding his fierce assailant in a death grip the sleigh swept into the village the inhabitants hearing the shouts rushed forth from their huts and seeing the perilous condition the men's gave chase with axes in their hands no sooner had the boy slackened with the speed of his horse then the men rushed at the savage animal still held captive and quickly dispatched it not without difficulty however could the brave peasant after the exertion he had undergone loosen his arms from the neck of the wolf the tame otter the otter, although not so an architect as the beaver appears to possess more sagacity a fine one caught in scotland became so tame that whenever it was alarmed it would spring for protection into the arms of its master it had also been taught to fish for his benefit and so dexterous was it at this sport that it would catch several fine salmon during the day in a stream near his house it could fish as well as water as in fresh bravely it would buffet the waves of the ocean and swim off in chase of codfish of which it would in a short time catch large numbers when fatigued by its exertions nothing would induce it to re-enter the water on such occasions it received part of the produce of the sport for its own share and after having satisfied itself it would fall asleep as generally in that condition carried home to resume its labors on another day though you may be very young and small you may if you try help those much older and bigger than yourself and of the tame otter the otter and her young ones I have another story about an otter which lived in the zoological gardens in London the otter pond surrounded by a wall was on one occasion only half full of water when the otter for whose use it was intended had a pair of young ones they happening to fall into the water were unable to climb up its steep sides the mother afraid that they would be drowned endeavored in vain by stooping over the wall to drag them out at last she jumped in and after playing with them for a short time was seen to put her head to the ear of one of the little creatures this was to tell her child what she wanted it to do directly after she sprang out of the pond while her young one caught hold of the fur at the root of her tail and while it clung tightly to her she dragged it out and placed it safely on the dry ground she then again plunged in and in the same way dragged out her other young one I am very sure your parents will help you out of any difficulty into which you may fall but then you must do as they tell you thus following the example of the young otters end of the otter and her young ones the wise beaver you have often heard of the wonderful way in which beavers in America construct their habitations and dams they seem however in these operations influenced by instinct rather than by reason I will tell you of a beaver which lived in captivity in France to supply him with nourishment all sorts of things fruits, vegetables and small branches of trees were thrown to him his keepers knowing that he came from a cold climate bestowed little care however in keeping him warm winter coming on one night large flakes of snow were blown by the wind into a corner of his cage the poor beaver who in his own country forms a remarkably warm house for himself almost perished with the cold if man would not help him he must try and help himself to build a cell which would shelter him from the icy blast the materials at his disposal were the branches of trees given him to gnaw the flowers of his cage filling up the interstices with the carrots and apples which had been thrown in for his food besides this he plastered the hole with snow which froze during the night and the next morning it was found that he had built a wall of considerable height which perfectly answered his purpose make the best of the means at your disposal as well as the talents you possess end of the wise beaver the rat and the swan rats in their ferocity partake of the character of the wolf and in their cunning of that of the fox a great flood occurred some years ago in the north of England and as a number of people were collected on the banks of the Tang whose waters had risen to an unusual height a swan was seen swimming across the flood the swan's back was a black spot visible among its white plumage as the swan came nearer this was found to be a live rat no sooner had the swan after bravely breasting the foaming torrent reached the shore then the rat leaped off and scampered away probably it had been carried into the water and unable to swim to land on seeing the swan had sought refuge on its back escaping a watery grave as the swan did help those incapable of helping themselves though you dislike their appearance and character they may not have had the advantages you possess end of the rat and the swan the rats and the wine cask an old lady wealthy and hospitable lived in a large house with several servants to attend on her although no terrific murder or other dark deed was ever known to have been perpetuated in the house reports said it was haunted undoubtedly noises were heard in the lower part of the mansion night after night unearthly sounds arose after the domestics had retired to their chambers at last the old lady determined to resist this invasion of her domestic peace told her servants to arm themselves with such weapons as they could obtain she herself sitting up with a brace of loaded pistols before her this proceeding had the desired effect the ghostly visitants if such they were ceased from their nocturnal revels all remained silent till cock crow night after night the brave old dame heroically watched but no ghosts came to celebrate her victory she invited a number of guests and determined to broach a cask of long-horted madera with keys in hand attended by the butler she entered the cellar the spill was pulled out from the cask the cock duly inserted but no wine came the butler tapped a hollow sound was the return on applying a light teeth marks were visible at the very most part of the staves by rats alone could such marks have been made what a band of thirsty topers must have been employed by the nefarious burglary no doubt it was the rats inebriated by such unusual potations which had caused the mysterious uproar be that as it may the lady lost her wine and the cask was placed in the museum of Mr. Buckland who tells the tale and there it stands to corroborate its truth it is said that rats will insert their tails into oil flasks and allow each other in turn to suck off the liquid thus obtained and of the rats and the wine cask the mouse and the honeypot mice I suspect are fully as sagacious as rats perhaps they are more so in their foraging expeditions what cleverness do they exhibit when one or two have been caught in a trap how careful are the rest of the community not to be tempted by the treacherous fate a honeypot had been left in a closet from the wall of which some of the loose plaster had fallen down in the morning the honey being wanted the pot was found with a considerable portion abstracted outside of it was a heap of mortar reaching to the edge forming an inclined plane while inside a similar structure had been raised with the loose plaster from the marks on the shelf it was clearly the work of a mouse which had thus by means of a well designed structure obtained entrance and exit if a little mouse to gain its object which you deem a wrong one can employ so much intelligence how much more should you exert your superior faculties to attain a right object end of the mouse and the honeypot the you which returned to her old home I have told you of dogs making their way from one end of the country to the other in search of their masters and of horses traversing wide districts to the pastures where they were bred but you would scarcely expect a sheep performing a long journey to return to the home of her youth a you bred in the neighborhood of Edinburgh was driven to Perthshire a distance upwards of 100 miles she remained sometime at the place and there became the mother of a lamb she took a dislike to her new home and thoughts of her early days stealing upon her she came to the resolution of returning to the scenes of her youth calling her lamb she one night set off southward often she was compelled to hurry on her young one with impatient bleedings she took the high road along which she had been driven reaching sterling early in the morning she discovered that an annual fair was taking place and that the town was full of people unwilling to venture among them for fear of being caught or losing her lamb on the roadside till the evening lying close by the roadside many people saw her but believing her owner was near did not molest her during the early hours of the morning she got safely through observed by several people and evidently afraid lest the dogs prowling about the town might injure her young one arriving at length at the toll bar of St. Nenians she was stopped by the toll keeper to be a stray sheep she escaped him however and several times when the gate was open endeavored with the lamb at her heels to make her way through he each time drove her back she at length turned round and appeared to be going the way she came she had however not abandoned her intention for she either discovered a more circuitous road to the southside of the gate or made her way through for on a Sabbath morning early in June she arrived at the farm where she had been bred having been nine days on her journey so delighted was her former owner with this exhibition of affection for the farm and with her wonderful memory that he offered her purchase or the price he had received into the day of her death when she had reached the mature age for a sheep of seventeen years she remained a constant resident on her native farm end of the you which returned to her old home the you and her lamb there is another story about a you which I should like to tell you and which shows the affection she had for her young a lamb frisking about near its mother contrived to spring into a thick hedge in which its coat was so firmly held that it could not escape the you after vainly trying to rescue her young one ran off with violent bleeding toward a neighboring field breaking in her way through several hedges to where there was a ram and communicated to him the disaster he at once returned with her and by means of his horns quickly pushed the young creature out of the thorny entanglement in which it had been entrapped end of the you and her lamb the two wise goats on the crumbling walls of the romantic ruins of Carnarvon castle some years ago two agile goats were seen now leaping over a rugged gap now climbing some lofty pinnacle now browsing on the herbage overhanging the perilous paths presently they approached each other from opposite ends of one of the narrow intersecting walls when they met finding that there was no room to pass they surveyed each other face to face for some minutes stillness each had barely standing ground for his own feet however they tossed their heads with menacing looks often making slight feints of budding or pushing forward but they took care not to come into actual contact knowing well that the slightest force might precipitate one or both from their perilous position neither could they attempt to walk backward or turn round on so narrow a spot thus they again stood quite still for above an hour occasionally uttering low sounds but neither of them moving at length they appeared to have settled the difficult point as to which of the two should give way the one which appeared the youngest lay quietly down while the other walked calmly over him and pursued his path contentedly their example might well be followed by human beings in many of the affairs of life where a contest must prove destructive to both many a bloody war might be averted did nations imitate the example of these two animals not however by bowing the neck to the yoke of a conqueror but by amicably settling differences how many lawsuits might also be avoided by the same means and you my young friends understand that there is far more true magnanimity and courage exhibited in giving way to others than in battling for doubtful rights and privileges and of the two wise goats the affectionate seal if you have ever examined the head of a seal with its large gentle eyes you will readily believe that the animal possesses a certain amount of intellect and is capable of very affectionate feelings the story I am about to tell you is a very very sad one perhaps you will recollect the seal in the zoological gardens which used to come out of its pond at the call of the French sailor to whom it belonged and climbing up while he sat on a chair put its fins round his neck and gave him a kiss how it immediately obeyed him when he told it to go back to the water and how adroitly it used to catch the fish which he threw to it I remember also hearing the seal in Shetland which would return with its prey in its mouth on being summoned by the owner but the seal I am going to tell you about belongs to a gentleman in the west of Ireland near the sea this seal was so tame and so attached to its master that it would follow him about like a dog and seemed much pleased whenever allowed to lick his hand people in that part of the country were extremely ignorant and superstitious too bad harvests having succeeded each other the foolish inhabitants took it in their heads that the disaster was caused by the innocent seal so many were the complaints they made some people even threatening the owner that fearing the life of his favorite would be endangered he was obliged to consent it being sent away having been put on board a boat it was taken to some distance and then thrown into the sea very shortly afterwards however it found its way back to its beloved master still anxious to preserve the animal's life he consented to its again being carried away to a greater distance but once more it returned this made the ignorant people more certain than ever that the poor seal was some evil being again it was put on board a boat the crew of which rode to a much greater distance than before determining that the poor seal should trouble them no more though following the injunctions of their master not to kill it they cruelly put out its eyes then threw it over board to perish in the wide ocean as they believed sometime passed when one stormy night the gentleman heard above the moaning sounds a plaintive cry of his favorite close to his house he went to the door and opening it there lay the body of the affectionate animal quite dead though deprived of its sight it had found its way back to the shore on which its master's house stood and exerting all its strength had crawled up to the door thus exhibiting an amount of affection for its human friend that as can scarcely exist in a greater degree in the breast of any animal end of the affectionate seal end of part two of chapter seven of stories of animal sagacity