226 THE LION KILLER. 



least handled. This I found to be a very good article of food, 

 and I thought I would soon become accustomed to this 

 national dish, if I was not obliged to adopt the republican 

 manners of the guests with whom I was dining. 



After our circle had dined, the huge tray was lifted over 

 our heads, and carried to the second group that was patiently 

 waiting below. Then the jar of water which we had already 

 used was presented to us the second time, accompanied with 

 a piece of black soap. 



The divers other things I had seen at this refined meal, 

 but which I cannot describe, had so disgusted me with the 

 company I was in that I turned my back to them, letting 

 them take it as they would, and took my seat on the carpet 

 which was spread next to the division of the tent separating 

 us from the apartment of the females, resolved to wait for 

 some more favorable time for dining, and in the meanwhile 

 to amuse myself by watching the manners of my neighbors. 



I had hardly been seated with my back against the women's 

 tent, before I felt some one drawing the skirts of my coat 

 from behind. 



The French who are always a little presumptuous in regard 

 to the women, think they have nothing to do but to show 

 themselves in order to please a lady. I have heard a certain 

 goose among my countrymen declare, after he had made an 

 excursion among the tribes of Algeria, that the women were 

 so much in love with him, that they would seize him by the 

 lapel of his burnous when asleep at night under his tent. 

 I will now give my experience. Turning around to see who 

 might be the fair creature that was so interested in the 



