454 HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



braced the profession of arras, joined the 3d regiment of cavalry in 

 the French army of Algeria, as a volunteer, on the 23d of June, 1842. 

 At first, absorbed in military duties and studies, he gave himself 

 but little to the exercises of the chase, if we may dignify with that 

 terra shooting excursions, after such small prey as quail, water- fowl, 

 rabbits, foxes, antelopes, jackals, and wild-boars, which were in abund- 

 ance. From more distant enterprises, the soldiers were deterred 

 by the fear of the panther and the lion, and the yet unconquered 

 Arab. Nor were they less afraid of those vast swarms of deadly 

 flies which haunt the heights of Algeria, and settle with such deter 

 mination and vigor upon their victims, as to overcome the bravest 

 and strongest man. 



The immediate vicinity of Bone, having submitted to the French 

 authority, the garrison of that place had but little to do but to keep 

 a watchful eye upon the more distant provinces whose attitude was 

 threatening; and Gerard had little opportunity, therefore, of parti- 

 cipating in the military service and glory for which he thirsted. In 

 consequence of this circumstance, he was among the first to inscribe 

 his name as a volunteer to serve at Guelraa, an advanced post to the 

 north of the lower chain of the Atlas, where he took part in various 

 expeditions, between the years 1843 and 1846, and so distinguished 

 himself by his valor, that he had twice the honor of being mentioned 

 in the military despatches. It is not our province to record his ex- 

 ploits as a soldier. War is a capricious mistress. Her moods are 

 variable. Sometimes she gives action and glory, at others idleness 

 and discontent. Inaction is the purgatory of a brave and adventurous 

 man. 



Against this common enemy, each soldier arras himself as his in- 

 clinations direct and his resources permit. The book-shelf of a mili- 

 tary man is soon exhausted. Men look anxiously about for other 

 sources of occupation and amusement. 



One night a soldier might have been seen climbing the ramparts, 

 heedless of the challenges of the sentinels, and thus exposing hiua- 

 Belf to the chances of an inglorious death. It was Jules Gerard, who 

 had beard the howling r.f wild beasts. },nd had set off to encountef 

 bad reached Linr Au old linn from the Atlas moan 



