MY FIRST EXPERIENCE IN LION HUNTING. 219 



which I frequented to learn the Arab language, I saw four or 

 five natives come in, carrying some fresh skins, which seemed 

 to me to have been taken from beeves. After having 

 sent one of their number towards the camp, with an injunction 

 to hasten, they sat down in silence on the mat-covered floor. 



As I visited this cafe only for the purpose of learning the 

 language and customs of the people, each new-comer was a 

 subject of regard. Nothing escaped me, and if I. did not 

 understand the language, their expressive native gestures, and 

 the play of their countenances, gave me the key to the whole 

 conversation. 



In France, when you enter a cafe the waiters run in the 

 greatest hurry to know your wishes and to satisfy your wants. 

 In Africa you might enter an establishment of this kind sit 

 down, and sleep there all night, without any one remarking 

 your presence ; so the new-comers took their places without 

 any one turning aside even to look at them. 



I also had ceased regarding this taciturn and motionless 

 group, when their comrade, who had been sent away, returned, 

 leading a native spahi by the hand, and followed by two or 

 three others. 



I remarked to myself that they had a disturbed air, and 

 that they sat down in the circle without exchanging any of 

 the ceremonies or compliments of the day, which is a very 

 unusual thing with the Arabs, and contrary to all custom. 



" What has happened ?" at last said a spahi, in a short 

 gruff voice. 



" Look at this," said one of the new-comers, throwing down 

 a bloodv skin in the centre of the circle. 





