The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-11-09
AN INTELLIGENT LIZARD.
Reptile Warned His Master OF Immi-
nent Danger


nent Danger.
On the diggings near the AvOcl River
the lizards future master had. IS was the
digger custom. come out OF his hole or
shaft, at II o'clock for a short half hour
rest between breakfast and the midday
meal He threw himself down in half
sitting posture, and was dreauiIy smok-
ing his pipe when from beneath a neigh
boring rock popped cut q little lizard, eyiuE
the stranger with iuguisitve interest. and
then as quickly retiring, TO return again
a minute later This was repeated several
times the lizards keen eyes always fixed
on the face Of the intruder Presently the
diEger's foot vas approached. and eEi-
IDENTIFY approved OF for its warmth. Then,
after a retreat 70 the rock again. fur
Their advance was made 10 the knee Of
the stranger, to whose face the TWO bril-
liant little eyes were stiH enquiriusly LI-
rected; aDd before the half hours rest
had concluded the left arm of ,he smoker
had been mounted, his neck rounded. and
the right arm descended. the .venturesome
journey ending by the lizard squattiug
conteEtedIy on the back Of his new found
friends night hand Confidence had thus
been established between the two. 5ut not
TO the extent of capture. f0r.Ou th. gold
over his rev acquaintance. away he scut-
tied 70 ms rock sgUiu with almost fncon-
ceivabIe quIckuess. The digler's smoke
over, he returned t. his work IN the hole
leaving his blouse where h. had sat
When the work of the day was finished
The tired gold seeker mounted To the sur
face, and. taking up his blouse, was about
e march To his camp. three miles away.
when be- discovered. 20 his surprise. his
four footed little friend lying hidden in
the sleeve Of the garment He carried
him IN the blouse gently 70 .he camp.
where. with the usual courage a.sd con-
ttrucc OF his race. The little reptile quick
ly adapted himself TO his new surround
lugS I'm the digEer's tent
He was carefully fed. kept warm az
night. and soon began 10 like his new
quarters with the gold seekers who be-
slowed upon him much affecti0uata att
teHtiou. In q few days he was quite 1T
home Will all the party On the march
hr made his home IL his masters S-rEe
blouse. running uI the arm OF the loose
garment. OF rouuC the fun front above
the tight WaisJb4ud as fancy took him
and enjoying the warmth or his patrons
puo[ ne was, ln fact Ike the little eve
lamb which lay iE her masters bosom
Singularly interesting and amusing fl was
10 see him poke his little head out be-
tween the huttouSr or through a button
hole. OF the blouse t''iumuerS-' they are
called In Australia ar intervals 70 ask
with ghtterlnE eve and ierlly movement
for an occasional fly from his masters
hand caught on the shafts Of cover Of
the cart The SaEaclty Of this humble
but delightful little friend enabled him
later on 20 repay the kindness ne rer.iv-
eel by service OF almost vital Importance
little understood at the time. although
fully appreciated aft-rward
w hen the camp was pitched for the
night. Master Lizard would employ him
self EN making the ~
tiny and inspection of the immCdiaL, sur
rouudinEs within and without the tenn
he made himself acquainted with every
stone turf, stump or hole. within what
ne CousIdt red mis- domain. eventually re-
firing with the sun 10 the blanket on his
masters bed. where he invariably slept
ON one occasion. during the darkness of
the night. he became extremely restless
running about ON the bed. evidently with
the view OF awakening his SlumbtriuE
protector. who. being a sound SLEEPER
was not easily disturbed Failing TO at
tract. he proceeded 20 run rapidly. back
ward and forward. over the sIeeper'S face
making al the same time a low splitting
noise. IKE an angry cat BY this means
he at length aroused his patron. who
gently pushed him away several times
speaking soothiusly iD the hope OF quiet
ing the excited little creature. But the
lizard would not be soothed, ON the con
trary. having attracted attention. he con-
uuutt his rapid and lneNullcIGle move
mtuts with red0uhlCd energy. until at
length his master. convinced that some
thing must be- amISs. got up. struck q
light. and looked around the tent thc
sharp eyes of the lizard following every
movement with intense interest But
nothing unusual could be seen. and the
gold hunter retired once more with a
Gliding word Go the lizard for his fears.
lie WAS scarcely asleep. however. before
he was again disturbed. and. losing pa
thence at these repeated interruptions to
his slumhers he seized the lizard and
I'm the darkness flung him from the bed
across the tent.
In this Involuntary flight the little crga-
turr struck the tent pole with cgUsiGrra-
BILE force. and half Of lis tail was hrOk-
en- Ola matter of no very srrat impor-