166 THE LION KILLER 



The wisest, most virtuous, and most respected among his 

 people, is he who has killed the greatest number of his foes. 



Family revenge, the hatred of one tribe against another, 

 and detestation of Christians, are the lessons of his childhood ; 

 and to complete his education, when he is fifteen, some even- 

 ing after the old men have told their tales of hate and 

 revenge around the tent fires, when the neighbors have 

 retired, and the child nestles in his accustomed place to 

 sleep, his father pushes him with his foot, and calls him a 

 lazy coward. 



The boy not understanding, begs for an explanation. 



His father laughing, points him to a pistol and dagger 

 hanging in his tent. 



The child bounds to his parent and kisses him respectfully 

 on the shoulder, who proud and happy at having a son that 

 promises so well, tells him to sit down near him, and speaks 

 to him as follows : 



"Have you gone out in the night, without my know- 

 ledge ?" 



The child relates his love for a young girl of a neighboring 

 douar, whom he has sometimes visited, at the risk of having 

 his brains blown out with a pistol. 



" That is well," says the father, " but not sufficient. You 

 are already tall, and blush to hear your neighbors call you a 

 boy. You must let them see that you are a man." 



u I ask nothing better," answers the child ; " but, the 

 night seems very dark, and I would be afraid to go 

 alone." 



" For the first time, you will not go alone ; take these arms, 



