THE PORCUPINE AND SMALL GAME. 121 



at all ; for it sometimes happens that the holes are so narrow 

 and the sides of the rock so hard, that in spite of the pin- 

 cers, hammers and zeal of the workmen, the child, however 

 thin he may be, cannot reach the furthest retreat of the por- 

 cupine, and is obliged to renounce the prize. 



In this way these hunters traverse the districts of Constan- 

 tine, Guelma and Bone. I have even met them in the district 

 of Calle, sixty leagues from the point of their departure. 

 Their expeditions are more or less fortunate ; it sometimes 

 happens that they will return with a dozen animals which 

 will serve for banquets for many days, and sometimes after a 

 month of fatigue, hard walking, and privations, with but one 

 single porcupine. 



When this happens, the members of the club unite accord- 

 ing to custom, to celebrate the return of their brother, and 

 the animal roasted, is served up on a wooden plate placed in 

 the middle of the assembly, who form a circle round the 

 table, contemplating it with admiration. The president of 

 the club invites his right hand neighbor to help himself, who 

 touches the edge of the dish with the fingers of his right 

 hand, which he carries to his mouth, saying, " I have enough." 

 All the guests follow his example, and regale themselves with 

 the couscoussou and dates which are around the principal 

 dish. Then they sing at the top of their voice, accompany- 

 ing themselves with their hands and tum-tums, accounts of 

 their past, present and future exploits, and the pipe fills up 

 the pauses of the song. The club collect the next day, and 

 the day after that, and so on, until the neighbors complain of 

 the noise the Hatcheichia make during the night, and the 



6 



