ADVICE TO THE AMATEUR LION HUNTER. 155 



exposed to observation ; and if you are in their way, in spite 

 of the guard watching over you, you will lose your head that 

 they may win a place in Paradise, or cause some embarras.s- 

 ment to the tribe that has received you. 



And now that you are installed in the midst of the Arabs, 

 you must learn how to behave yourself. 



You will have scarcely pitched your tent, before you will 

 have to receive a crowd of visitors. Do not be mistaken, 

 they are only curious to see you in order to know if you are 

 like other people, and they will place themselves around you, 

 and stare at you like fools. Pay no attention to them. Some 

 will say to you, " Welcome ;" answer without smiling, by a 

 sign of the head signifying, " It is well." Be mute, if you 

 can, at least do not speak without absolute necessity. 



A man who is called a prattler, is without honor among 

 the Arabs. He is passable, even if he is as stupid as a beast, 

 and honorable if either a robber or assassin, but he is dis- 

 graced if a prattler. 



They will not fail to overwhelm you with questions on 

 your plans as soon as they know what you have come for. 

 Be on your guard. Answer the questions lightly and with 

 quietness. 



They will say : " Do you hunt the lion during the day or 

 at night ?" You can answer : " The day and night.' 7 



" Alone or accompanied 2" 



" Alone." 



You will then say to them : 



" I come from France to hunt the lion, because he does you 

 a great deal of harm, and to kill him would be to do good ; 



