24 THE LION KILLER. 



to defend himself when attacked. In a country like Algiers, 

 literally covered with herds, he is never fasting, except during 

 the day, while sleeping ; and the natives, knowing this, take 

 care to stay at home when he quits his lair, or, if they are 

 obliged to travel at night, they never go on foot or alone. 



As to myself, I will say that if I have noticed an indiffer- 

 ent expression on the countenance of several lions whom I 

 have met abroad early in the evening, I never saw those that 

 I met at night exhibit other than the most hostile disposi- 

 tion. I am so sure that a single man is inevitably lost if he 

 meets with such an encounter, that when I am bivouacking 

 in the mountain, I never leave my tent after sunset for an 

 instant, except with my carbine in my hand. 



A large number of recent examples of Arabs who have 

 been devoured in this manner, have come under my observa- 

 tion, but I will mention only the following, because it is 

 known to all the natives of Constantine, and because the 

 circumstances attending it were fearfully curious. 



It occurred a few years previous to the occupation of this 

 city by the French troops, that two brothers condemned to 

 death, were confined in the city prison, awaiting their exe- 

 cution on the morrow. They were bandits of great renown 

 for strength and courage ; the Bey, fearing they might escape 

 by their address and hardihood, gave orders that they 

 should be ironed with entraves, that is, an iron ring which 

 is bound around the right leg of one prisoner, with the left 

 leg of another, in such a manner that the two legs are 

 fastened close together, and then the iron band is welded. 



This was done, and yet on the morrow, the executioner, 



