The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-04-07
FABLE OF THE GOOD CAMEL *
<& AND THE SICK LION.

IN tomer ages" said Cohctorbe. there
were 4 crafty Raven. 4 subtie foN'
and a bloody Wolf, who put themselves
into the service of "A Lion. that heio MS
court in the wood. near a certain ot-much-
ficquented highway. Near this place. a
merchants Camel once. quite tired with
long travel. got rid of his burden. and lay
down TO rest himself. and, If possible. pre-
serve his life. In a few days after. having
recovered his strength. he rose up. and
ignorant Of the governor of these terri
tories. eutuiel into the Lions wood with
Al design to feed. Eut, before he had spent
an hour in trayelins into it. he was as
tou,shed with the appearance OF the Lion.
whose majestic gait and aspect soon IN
formed our traveller that he was Monarch
of the place. The Camel, who at first sight
expected nothing but to be devoured. was
r.Jo.r,d to lind this, and humbiy offered
him his service. The Lion accepted IL: and
after he knew by what accident lie came
into the place, asked him what he would
choose to do.
whatever your Majesty please replied
the Camel. very submissively.
Thou art at thy liberty replied the
Lion, to return, IL thou likest Il. and be
the slave OF thy former master; or. TX thou
wilt rather live with me-, thou hast my
sacred and inviolable promise that thou
shalt be secure from all injuries
The Camel was very glad OF this. and
remained with the Lion. doing nothing but
feed without disturbance, so that he soon
became plump and fat.
..One day after this the Lion. In his
hunting, met an Elephant, with whom he
encountered: and. returning wounded to the
wood, at length he was nearly starved TO
death. While he lay on his death-bed,
however, the Raven. the Wolf and the Fox.
who lived only upon what the Lion left
after he had been at the field, fell into 4
deep melancholy: which the Lion perceiv-
ing. said to them, i am more sorry for
your sadness than for my own wounds.
Go and see II you can meet with any
venison in the purlieus adjoining; II you
do. return and give me notice. and, not
withstanding my wounds, 1 will so and
seize it for you Upon this, away they
went, left the Lion, and held a council all
three together.
said the Wolf, II 1 may speak among
you. friends. what good does this Camel
do here? We have no correspondence with
him. nor does the Lion get anything by
him: let US kill him, and he will keep us
alive for two or three days. and by that
time the King may, perhaps. be cured of
his wounds This advice, however. though
hunger much pleaded in Its favor, did not
please the Fox. who affirmed that the
Canel's life could not be justly taken
away. since the Lion had given his word
and solemn promise that he should live un-
molested in the wood: for that such an ac- |
t.on would render the King odious to all
pcsterity. who would look upon him as a
perfidious Monarch, who gave protection TO
q stranger in his dominions. only to put
linn to death without a cause. whenever he
could make an advantage Of his destruc-
tion.
"on this the Raven, who had as hungry |
q belly as the Wolf, together with a great
deal of wit and as much malice, took up |
on him to reconcile both these opinions,
saying that there might be a fair pretense
found to color the death Of the Camel.
stay here continued he. till I return, and
i will bring you the Lions consent for his |
destruction So saying. away he went TO
the Lion: and. when he came into his pres
cnce. making a profound reverence. and
putting on a starved and meager look, said, |
May it please your Majesty to hear me a
few words: We are almost famished to
death, and so weak that We can hardly
crawl along: but We have found out a
remedy for all this. and, IL your Majesty |
viii but give leave. have contri.ed how We
shall have a feast
What is your remedy?' answered the |
Lion. hardly able to open his Jaws for
weakness and anguish: and what the feast |
yot: propose yourselves?' |
ITO whom the Raven replied, Sir. the
Camel. whom you once met with in the |
wood. lives like n hermit In your kingdom; |
he never comes near Us, nor is he good for
anything but to satisfy our hunger. And, |
in regard your Majesty wants good and
wholesome diet in your present weak condi- |
ton. I am surgeon enough to venture to