HAWKING IN AFRICA. 147 



Ferjioua. Now it cannot be less than one hundred and fifty 

 miles in a straight line between El-Outaia, where the bustard 

 had been attacked at noon, to Ferjioua, where it had been 

 brought to the ground at four o'clock, making a speed of 

 thirty-seven miles an hour. 



At the commencement of this chapter I spoke of a man 

 named Mabrouk, who was one of the most zealous falconers 

 I have ever met with. 



This man, who only died within the last two years, hunted 

 nothing but the bustard. "When his birds conducted them- 

 selves with courage in the chase, he would not allow the 

 other falconers to touch them. After having embraced and 

 called them by their names, he placed them on his shoulder 

 and head, then jumped on his horse and returned to his 

 tent, carrying his dear family, as he called them, with him. 



This passion went so far that, though possessing a good 

 reputation as a father, he loved his falcons better than his 

 wife and children, and his last caresses and sighs, just before 

 his death, were bestowed on his hawks. 



After the death of Mabrouk, his eldest son, following the 

 last wishes of his father, gave their freedom to all the falcons 

 that had the ingratitude to profit by the legacy. 



Arab chiefs are met with who keep a perch of hawks with- 

 out ever using them. For them it is a customary accessory 

 to native luxury with which they cannot dispense, as it shows 

 their fortune and grandeur, and makes an impression on the 

 common people. 



When travelling, the chief is preceded or followed by well- 

 mounted and richly armed and equipped horsemen, carrying 



