32 THE LION KILLER. 



tents are arranged within the ditch, and a hedge is raised 

 on the outside of branches of trees, and so placed that the 

 ditch is concealed from those without. To prevent the 

 cattle falling into it during the night, an interior hedge is 

 raised, which encompasses the tents, and the evening coming 

 on, the herds are gathered into the enclosure, and the herdsmen 

 watch during the night that they keep close to the edge of 

 the ditch on the upper side of the douar. 



The lion," who is accustomed to clear the hedge with a 

 bound, always coming for his greater convenience down the 

 highest ground, arrives near the encampment in search of 

 his evening meal. He hears the lowing, and scents the 

 exhalations of the animals that are separated from him but 

 by a few feet ; he crouches for a moment, then springs into 

 the air, and falls, roaring with rage, into the hidden pit, 

 w r here he will be insulted and mutilated — he, the emblem of 

 strength and courage — he whose regal voice made hill and 

 valley tremble, dies miserably under the weapons of women, 

 of children, and cowards. 



The moment that he cleared the hedge, and the frightened 

 herds ran about trampling the keepers under their feet, the 

 whole population of the encampment rushed to arms; the 

 women shriek with joy, the men fire their guns to arouse the 

 neighboring encampments, and the children and dogs make 

 an uproar like pandemonium. It is a triumph that almost 

 amounts to delirium, and each joins in the exultation, for 

 each one has some particular loss to avenge. Whatever 

 may be the hour of -the night, there is no more sleep in 

 the camp. Fires are lighted, sheep are killed for- the 



