MY FIRST EXPERIENCE IN LION HUNTING. 235 



" To thee I give the lion's beard, if it please God to make 

 me successful." 



The poor man came to my side as fast as his legs would 

 carry him, and before I could prevent him, had kissed me on 

 the head, and- cheeks, and hands, saying : 



" You will succeed, my child, you will succeed." Then 

 whispering in my ear, he said : " You are a Roman, but I 

 don't care, if you can kill this lion I will give you my 

 daughter, or if you like it better I will adopt you as my 

 own son." 



At first I was overcome at this brilliant offer, so contrary 

 to all the principles and customs of the Musselmen, and if 

 after a little I had to laugh at the glorious opening in life it 

 pointed out for me, I was still the more persuaded I had 

 adopted the right course, and that the hatred of the Arabs 

 would fall with my first lion. I had already forgotten the 

 scene with Bou-Aziz, and resolved that before long he should 

 have better feelings toward me and my people. 



As the day waned, and the sun was kissing the western 

 horizon, I hastened to quit the douar to go on the mountain*, 

 being the more anxious to commence my work, as I had 

 leave of absence for only three days. Bou-Aziz and myself 

 shouldered our guns and left the camp to the pleasure of all 

 the Arabs, with the exception of a few kind-hearted souls, 

 who suggested that we had better return to Guelma. 



As the natives do not understand how one can be willing 

 to go on foot who has the means of riding, Bou-Aziz wanted 

 me to mount my horse, but I refused, being persuaded that 

 he would be a trouble instead of a service, and we set out to 



