HAWKING IN AFRICA. 131 



repeated cries ; soon after we saw a black body increasing in 

 size and proportion as it descended to tbe earth, sometimes 

 struggling, and sometimes falling vertically towards the lower 

 regions. 



" We were then able to recognize our brave eagles, with 

 expanded wings, allowing themselves to be dragged down- 

 ward by the weight of the bustard, who, with banging feet and 

 broken wings, fell lifeless to the ground. We looked in vain 

 for the Sheik's falcons, they had fled for ever. Our attention 

 was now centred on the group of horsemen. 



" At the moment the bustard and eagles fell hurtling 

 through the air, into the middle of the large circle formed by 

 the Sheik and his men, a loud cry of treason was beard from 

 the band. 



u We now remembered, that in the haste in which our birds 

 had been let loose, the jesses had remained fastened to the 

 legs of one oi" them. Several men on foot had laid their 

 burnous in such a way as to take the eagles without being 

 wounded by them, and thus they had discovered the trick 

 that had been played them. 



" We sought in terror some remedy for our thoughtlessness. 

 There was nothing left but to fly, which we did as fast as our 

 legs could carry us, without thinking of our ass, who, however, 

 was destined to save my life in that day's frolic. 



" For about an hour we ran, following the course of the 

 brook and sheltered by the trees along the sides, when we 

 perceived four horsemen about two hundred feet behind us, 

 and a short distance from them were the entire goum of the 

 Sheik. 



