88 THE HON KILLER. 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE HYENA. 



It was on a bright still day in the month of August, 1844, 

 that I left our camp at Guelma, and travelled towards the 

 mountain of Mahouna, in accordance with an invitation I 

 • had received from its inhabitants. 



I had been riding about an hour, and my mind was 

 wandering between the varied beauties of the tropical day, 

 and the sports of^the morrow, when I caught sight of an 

 animal coming towards me on the road I was following. It 

 was a beast with a repulsive countenance, and flowing hair, 

 and it had a disconcerted and awkward look, as though the 

 day had surprised it on a marauding expedition. 



It was a hyena travelling home, shuffling along like a lame 

 dog. 



I had left my rifle in the hands of the Arab who had been 

 sent to me by his tribe, and was without any arms except my 

 sabre, which I drew from its scabbard and charged home. 



When it saw me, it turned aside from the road and fled 

 among the bushes across the country. In a moment I was 

 on its track and almost within reach, when the brute suddenly 

 throwing its heels into the air, dived into a cavern, which feat 

 of agility brought me and my horse to a halt. 



