ARAB FASHION OF HUNTING THE LION. 43 



They consist merely in opposing to the lion as many guns as 

 he has teeth and claws ; but in order that the two parties 

 remain equal, it is absolutely necessary that the hunters pro- 

 tect each other, that they never scatter, and that each one is 

 ready to save the life of another with the sacrifice of his 

 own. 



When the hunters have had the opportunity to unite their 

 forces, with their backs to a rock, the lion will march majes- 

 tically before them, with a menacing air, hoping by this 

 means to throw their ranks in confusion. If he should suc- 

 ceed in this, he bounds upon the scattered troop, which flee 

 like sheep before him, and leaves two or three of its number 

 under his paws. 



If no one of the company moves from his place, and the 

 animal feels their confidence in their own powers, he passes 

 with a triumphant air directly before their levelled carbines, 

 and within thirty paces from them, uttering a low growl of 

 angry menace, and lashing his sides with his tail. This is 

 the decisive moment. The word of command is given by 

 one of the eldest of the party to fire. Each one discharges 

 his gun with the best aim he can, and dropping his weapon, 

 draws his pistol and yatagan. 



It may seem strange to European sportsmen, that thirty 

 balls fired at twenty paces against an animal that presents 

 his side for a target, should not invariably kill him as he 

 stands : nevertheless, it does not occur four times out of ten. 

 The lion is so tenacious of life, that he does not die under 

 any number of balls, unless he has been pierced in the brain 

 or heart. If, however, he has fallen under this leaden hail, 



