rs, each bearing a beak full of building
materials; and without any further attempt to beat out the sparrow, they
instantly set to work and built up the entrance into the nest, enclosing
the sparrow within the clay tenement, and leaving her to perish in the
stronghold she had so bravely defended.

[Illustration]

ANECDOTE LI.

The Rights of Hospitality.

A native Moor who went to hunt the lion, having proceeded far into a
forest, happened to meet with two lion's whelps that came to caress him;
the hunter stopped with the little animals, and waiting for the coming of
the sire or the dam, took out his breakfast, and gave them a part. The
lioness arrived unperceived by the huntsman, so that he had not time, or
perhaps wanted the courage, to take to his gun. After having for some time
looked at the man that was thus feasting her young, the lioness went away,
and soon after returned, bearing with her a sheep, which she came and laid
at the huntsman's feet.

The Moor, thus become one of the family, took this occasion of making 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, and came to a resolution never more to kill any of those
animals, the noble generosity of which he had so fully proved. 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.

[Illustration]

ANECDOTE LII.

A Grateful Lioness.

A Dreadful famine raged at Buenos Ayres, yet the governor, afraid of
giving the Indians a habit of spilling Spanish blood, forbade the
inhabitants on pain of death to go into the fields in search of relief,
placing soldiers at all the outlets to the country, with orders to fire
upon those who should attempt to transgress his orders. A woman, however,
called Maldonata, was artful enough to elude the vigilance of the guards,
and escape. After wandering about the country for a long time, she sought
for shelter in a cavern, but she had scarcely entered it when she espied a
lioness, the sight of which terrified her. She was, however, soon quieted
by the caresses of the animal, who, in return for a service rendered her,
showed every sign of affection and friendliness. She never returned from
search