188 THE LION KILLER. 



ciency, they are the most indefatigable of foot soldiers, hardy 

 well armed, and excellent shots. 



As an example of their skill as marksmen, it is the custom 

 among a great many of their tribes for a father to refuse the 

 hand of his daughter in marriage, unless the claimant for the 

 honor can hit an egg placed at a spot as far distant as the old 

 man can throw a stone. 



The whole military tactics of the Kabyles consist in the 

 occupation of some commanding eminence on the line of 

 march of hostile troops, whose progress they have marked by 

 their spies, with as many of their own marksmen as they 

 are able. 



When a Kabyle force is discovered, the general in command 

 sees or judges as near as he can of the number of natives 

 before him. If there are not very many, he orders up one or 

 two companies that carry the rock with the bayonet, without 

 answering the fire of the natives, and hold it until the whole 

 column has passed by under their protection, or until they are 

 relieved by other companies, that hold it in turn and surrender 

 it to the next. 



But on the contrary, if the Kabyles are posted in force, 

 the army halts just within cannon shot, and in a few minutes 

 some of the most audacious of the natives are seen descend- 

 ing from the heights, and gambolling, and gesticulating to 

 within gun-shot of the troops, as though to ridicule the sol- 

 diers. After having danced and hurrahed to their own great 

 satisfaction, and the amusement of the soldiers, they fire their 

 guns and then retreat to their comrades, who have remained 

 squatted on the pinnacle of the hill. 



