ADVICE TO THE AMATEUR LION HUNTER. 161 



The proof is, that I have passed six hundred nights in the 

 open air, searching the most frequented ravines, watching all 

 the best fords, and I never met but twenty-five lions. 



A lioness and young lion never remain long in one country, 

 and the Arabs will attribute their disappearance to your 

 presence. You may kill some wild boars, if you have a 

 mind, your eye and hand will lose nothing by it, and then 

 return to Guelma. 



Present yourself to the governor of the district, and to the 

 head of the Arab affairs, wait for the next new moon, and 

 then set out for Mahouna. 



On the western side of this beautiful mountain you will 

 find the country of the Ouled Hamza. Pitch your 'tent 

 among them, and ask the Sheik for a guide. During the day 

 examine the two paths on the side- of this mountain, and 

 descend to the border of the Ouled-Cherf, and obtain a know- 

 ledge of the fords of Boulerbegh and Hirondelles. You will 

 find several blinds, or hiding-places, made by the Turks who 

 hunted for Ahmed-Bey. 



These are fortified shelters that I had repaired by the 

 Arabs for a shelter in case of storm. 



Remember that these hiding-places are made by cowards 

 for cowards, and if you use them the Arabs will not fail to say 

 that they also can kill lions like you. 



The Mahouna is the pleasure garden of the lions ; not one 

 of these noble travellers leaves the kingdom of Tunis for that 

 of Morocco without stopping some time on his journey at 

 Mahouna. 



If, on arriving, you do not meet a large old lion, who, by 



