A female, I suppose, as it has got no mane." Of course the lads did not know, nor indeed did anyone else, at that time, that the lion is not a native of America.

The animal before them was what is now called the South American lion, or puma.
The creature walked round and round the fire, snuffing; and then, with an angry roar, raised itself on its hind legs and scratched at the trunk of the tree.

Several times it repeated this performance; and then, with another roar, walked away into the darkness.
"Thank goodness it can't climb!" Ned said.

"I expect, with our spears and swords, we could have beaten it back if it had tried; still, it is just as well not to have had to do it.

Besides, now we can both go to sleep.