THE PORCUPINE AND SMALL GAME. 119 



opening* of the gates. Those who have not the happiness of 

 taking a part in the expedition, follow their comrades, who 

 embrace them when leaving, as if they were never to see each 

 other again. The hunters, generally about eight or ten, pro- 

 mise to perform wonders for the honor of the club, and set out 

 preceded by one or two mules, laden with their implements 

 and food, and followed by several couples of griffin dogs, 

 almost always mangy. Each one is armed with a stick five 

 feet long, at the extremity of which, is fastened a piece of 

 iron, in the form of a lance, with teeth like those of a sickle. 

 This instrument is destined to fasten in the game, and draw 

 it out of the hole. Hammers of every form and dimension 

 ornament the belt of the most robust of the men, whose duty 

 is to enlarge the porcupine hole in order that a child from 

 ten to twelve years old, one of the smallest, thinnest and most 

 elongated specimens of humanity, who, if he was walking 

 on his hands and knees would resemble a terrier, could pass 

 through the opening. 



This little abortion is covered from head to foot with a 

 dress of skin, which makes him appear like a spider, and 

 forms a sort of coat of mail ; he is, nevertheless, the hero, 

 the great Hercules of the band, for he is the only one who 

 attacks the animal. 



After having walked several days across the mountains and 

 plains, sleeping in the open air, under protection of the 

 douars, that will scarcely allow them to camp at a gun-shot 

 from them, they reach a porcupine burrow which is known, 

 or which has been told to them by some of their country- 

 men. 



