THE CHASE OF THE PANTHER. 69 



peal of triumph in order to obtain their respect. It is suffi- 

 cient if he even leaves his tent in the evening, and returns 

 at daybreak. It can be easily understood that this feeling of 

 these people forced me to walk in the path that I had com- 

 menced ; that it was a great relief against the emotions of 

 the heart, sometimes too strong, and I do not fear to add 

 against the anguish and loneliness of the night, in a country 

 filled with every danger. 



My national amour propre that caused me at first to enter 

 into this career, having been once satisfied by repeated suc- 

 cesses, I could have had the company of true and brave 

 comrades had I desired it ; but I became so passionately 

 addicted to the darkness, the solitude, the danger and 

 adventure, and so in love with myself and my gun, that I 

 have passed many a night in the shadowy woods, until day- 

 break, even without hope of meeting game, and returned to 

 my tent only with the day dawn, wearied in body, and 

 exhausted in mind from the excitement of the adventure. 



I do not know if there is one of my readers who will 

 understand this feeling, for I did not myself, before I learned 

 it by experience. 



If one of my brother hunters will travel with me from 

 evening till morning, during a whole month among these 

 savage gorges, that seem made for the abode of the lion 

 alone, and can there hear the voice of the lord of the desert, 

 that imposes silence and terror on all created things, tolling 

 the hours of the night, he will feel unknown emotions throb- 

 bing in his breast, and teaching him a new life ; but the 

 presence of one of his race will detract from the scene some 



