THE CHASE OF THE PANTHER. 75 



lion is always ten times greater than that of the govern- 

 ment. 



The paths between these two mountains are so narrow 

 and precipitous, that even the Arab scout cannot follow them 

 without danger. The fords communicating from the slope 

 of one mountain to the slope of the opposite one, are equally- 

 difficult, and the path frequented by the lions, who came down 

 to drink, was like the other, a narrow defile between bluff 

 banks. At this point, the Ouled Cherf forms an elbow which 

 shuts out the view from every side, so that the place where I 

 lay in ambush, was like the bottom of a funnel, and so 

 embowered that the rays of the sun, nor of the moon, that 

 other sun for me, never penetrated to it. 



Since that time, I have passed many a night in desert- 

 places, yet none to me has ever seemed so short. Seated at 

 the side of a rose tree that overlooked the ford, I tried to catch 

 some sound of the barking of a dog, or the lowing of an ox, 

 pr gleam of a watch-fire, or something, no matter how trifling, 

 that would say to me, you are not alone. But around me 

 every sound was stilled in the gloom of the forest, and as far 

 as eye or ear could pierce, there was no sound or sight of 

 human voice or skill ; I was alone with my gun. 



The hours stole by with noiseless tread, and the moon, that 

 I had scarcely hoped to see, cast occasional bars of light 

 through the foliage, giving a faint gleam that marked the 

 outlines of surrounding objects. 



It grew near eleven o'clock, and I was wondering at having 

 to wait so long without any visitors, when I thought I heard 

 steps under the trees. Little by little the sound became more 



