38 THE LION KILLER. 



covered with snow, becomes the home, sometimes, of an 

 old lion chilly with age, sometimes of a lioness in search 

 of winter quarters for her cubs, aud sometimes of a whole 

 family. The Zerager is a mountain scantily wooded, but 

 with its sides and peak covered with enormous rocks, whose 

 crevices afford excellent lairs for the lions, being protected 

 on all sides from the winds. At the foot of the mountain 

 gleam the white tents of Ouled Cessi, and their numerous 

 herds dot the plain as far as the eye can reach. As one 

 may easily imagine, these are all the requisites of an agree- 

 able home to the royal emigrants, it may be sure they will 

 not readily leave it when contrasting their former hardships 

 with their present ease, and while they see their old resorts 

 covered with snow. 



When a lion first gives indications of his presence, either by 

 the robbery of the cattle-pens, or by the sound of his voice in 

 the evening on the hills, the news is spread from mouth to all 

 the encampments, although the knowledge of the presence of 

 the new-comer does not prevent his eating their families before 

 their noses for eight or ten days, and taking whatever he likes 

 in the land. It is not until he has sensibly thinned the herds, 

 and seems to have permanently located himself in the neigh- 

 borhood, that they give the signal for the hunt. 



These assemblages, many of which I have seen, are of the 

 greatest interest to those who can understand the native 

 dialect and appreciate the importance of the object that 

 calls them together. 



Instead of a beautiful park shaded with century oaks, or a 

 hunting-lodge, which in France is the habitual rendezvous 



