HAWKING IN AFRICA. 12 1 



subject the master of the hawks to a Caid of my acquaintance, 

 related to me a very interesting anecdote, in which he had, 

 as we shall see, played a dangerous part. 



This man, who, next to a certain Mabrouk, of whom I will 

 speak some other time, is the most devoted falcon hunter 

 I have ever met in Africa, merits the passing attention of the 

 reader. 



He is named Abdallah, and belongs to the Mahatlah tribe, 

 and is one of the bravest horsemen of his tribe, which is not 

 a small compliment to pay. One day I asked him how old 

 he was. He answered he was born the same year as powder 

 — which would make him about forty. . 



A little above the ordinary height, of a grave, taciturn 

 manner, and thin, sickly appearance, at first sight this man 

 would appear to a stranger in no wise remarkable. 



But when he is seen in the company of persons of the 

 same character as himself, and the conversation turns oh the 

 subjects of war and the chase, his face becomes animated, his 

 eyes flash fire, and his nostrils dilate as if inhaling from afar 

 the scent of powder and blood ; for to him the sport of the 

 chase is the agony of the victim whose eyes are torn out and 

 head lacerated by the falcon ; war, is the act of cutting the 

 throat of a living enemy as he struggles beneath one's knee. 



With these ferocious feelings which are inherent among 

 all savages, Abdallah still possesses a sensible mind, and warm, 

 kind heart. 



His family is composed of an old mother, whom he loves 

 and respects, which is more than the greater part of the 

 Arabs do ; three children whom he adores ; and a mare, born 



