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 traveller,
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 traveller continued
his kind offices to the poor beast, which, in consequence of his care,
completely recovered.
When the traveller 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 as tame as a dog.