GERARD, THE LION HUNTER 



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scared ; hyaenas, who crouched down in fear ; and terrified 

 men and women, who fell on their knees. 



But the lion said to the gazelles ' Do not flee ; ' to the 

 hyaenas ' Do not be afraid,' and to the. men and women 

 ' Stand up ; for the sake of this young girl, whom I love, 

 I will not harm you.' 



And all — men, women and animals — gazed with amaze- 

 ment at the lion and the girl, and asked each other, in 



THE LION SAID TO THE GAZELLES ' DO NOT FLEE ' 



their various tongues, whether this strange pair could be 

 going on a pilgrimage to Mecca to worship at the tomb 

 of Mohammed. 



At last A'issa and her escort drew near the settlement, 

 and when they were only some yards from the tent of 

 Ai'ssa's father, which was the first as you entered the 

 village, the lion stopped, and with the utmost courtesy 

 asked the young girl's leave to kiss her. 



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