170 THE LION KILLER. 



The tent of the man they search is pointed out ; the leader 

 only says to the boys : 



" Children, be men." 



They reach the hedge that surrounds the douar, and find 

 the entrance is closed by prickly bushes to keep in the 

 herds. 



The old man whispers in the ear of his companions : 



" Do not move, until you hear the dogs bark on the other 

 side ; then be as quick as you can." 



He wheels round, and dragging himself on his stomach to 

 the other side of the douar, stations himself opposite the tent 

 that the boys are to enter. 



He raises himself slowly ; if the dogs do not see him, he 

 approaches a few §teps and coughs , that is enough. In one 

 instant, all the dogs in the douar are around him. 



In order to keep them at a distance, he has only to walk 

 towards them on his hands and knees , the dogs will be too 

 afraid to approach him. 



But the entrance of the douar has already been noiselessly 

 passed by our young people. 



The tent they are seeking is close to them. 



They raise their heads and listen ; nothing is heard within. 

 Everybody is asleep. The women's place is the lowest down, 

 and that of the children next, while the master himself is 

 lying in front of the door, with a pistol under his head, and 

 his yataghan by his side. 



The child wo spoke of has entirely disappeared under the 

 tent ; the darkness will not permit him to see his enemy, but 

 he hears him breathing, he drags himself near him, until he 



