106 THE LION KILLER. 



The jackal rejoices at the preparations for the feast, that in 

 spite of the immense fire takes a long time to roast, all the 

 while thinking to himself that he will be satisfied with the 

 insides and remains if he is allowed to take them. 



As he is paid no attention to, he wishes to speak ; but a 

 shower of stones explains to him that he is not invited, and 

 obliges him to stand aside. 



After the robber band are satisfied, and take up their line 

 of march with their booty, the jackal leaves his post and 

 seizes the remains which he finds very appetizing and suffi- 

 cient for himself, and his fortunate companions who arrive at 

 his first call. 



These gentlemen find so much comfort in such meetings, 

 that, from that day,- the night marauders are always followed 

 by one who never loses sight of them, and every now and 

 then gives a peculiar cry (a kind of dry hoarse bark) for fear 

 his comrades should lose their way and not arrive at the right 

 moment. It is for the same reason that the jackal in follow- 

 ing the lion and hyena, barks in this peculiar manner. From 

 thence arises the general error in regard to the cry of the 

 jackal, while following either marauders, lions, or hyenas, 

 that his call is the voice of the hyena. 



As the Arabs seldom travel at night, and never on foot, the 

 jackal, when he meets one or a band of several men, thinks 

 they are robbers. It has often happened, that one of these ani- 

 mals has followed me for a whole night, walking when I walked, 

 stopping when I stopped, and barking, after his droll fashion 

 all the while, even when he was not twenty steps from me. 



In those countries frequented by the lion, the Arabs call 



