MY FIRST EXPERIENCE IN LION HUNTING. 239 



I was more surprised than ever. Were these men just 

 going out for an excursion, or were they a band of robbers 

 and assassins? As a climax to my wonder, I recognized 

 among the band that had been tracking us like wild beasts 

 several of the guests with whom I had dined so badly on the 

 first night of my arrival at the douar. 



After laughing heartily on both sides, the men told us 

 that they heard the douars on the Ouled-Bou-Sousa making 

 a great noise, and that, doubtless, the lion had been over there 

 to pass the night. We consulted about following him, but 

 Bou-Aziz said that it was too far, and we would reach there 

 too late for any service. I then proposed that we should take 

 some place of concealment, and wait for the lion until he 

 returned to his lair with the morning, and the plan was imme- 

 diately adopted. The cloud, as they called themselves, gave 

 us the honor of their company to the edge of the wood, when 

 they left us to continue their nocturnal expedition. 



As we had now nothing to do but wait until day dawn 

 with our eyes fixed on the plain, awaiting the motions of our 

 game, I questioned my comrade in regard to our late encoun- 

 ter, and I will here relate what he told me. 



It may seem a breach of confidence to write for the public 

 what was told me in secret, but since that time I have proved 

 it to he true by my own experience, and I give it to the world 

 that it may be of use to those travelling in Africa, or entrusted 

 with the government of the Arab tribes. 



"You," commenced Bou-Aziz, "love the child that ^our 

 wife bears you, equally much if it is a male or a female." 



