MY FIRST EXPERIENCE IN LION HUNTING. 241 



creature who is brought into the African world a cripple, 

 never seeks to gain those qualities from which nature and 

 reputation has debarred him, but forms one of a separate class 

 half way between men and beasts. Fortunately, however, this 

 class of persons is very small. During twelve years passed 

 in Africa, I have never encountered but one hunchback, and 

 he was carried around from tribe to tribe, like a strange 

 animal, and the children heaped upon him jokes and dates, 

 without number, in their curiosity and glee. 



"You can therefore understand," continued Bou-Aziz, 

 " why the boys as soon as they grow to man's estate, endeavor 

 to gain the respect of the men of their tribe, and the regard 

 of the women, still more difficult to win. For you see our 

 women are never mistaken about the character of a man, 

 and they elevate or cast him down according as their judg- 

 ment is favorable or not. 



" Formerly, when our tribes were at war among themselves 

 or against the French, it was an easy matter for our young 

 men to give proof of their courage, but since our swords have 

 returned to their scabbards, what are we to do ? 

 » " There are occasionally family feuds which give to a young 

 man the occasion of stealing by night under the tent of an 

 opponent, and in spite of the watchfulness of the dogs, stabbing 

 him to the heart, which is a feat infinitely more difficult and 

 courageous than your duels in the open air by daylight. 



u But all of us do not have a father's or brother's death to 

 revenge, and when we have not, there is nothing left for us, 

 by which we can show to the world that we are men, but 

 gallant adventures or plundering excursions. 



11 



