242 THE LION KILLER. 



"To follow, during the darkness of the night, the mountain 

 paths worn by the lion, is of itself no child's sport. But to 

 enter the precincts of a well-guarded douar, and creep under 

 the curtain of a tent to enjoy the embraces of a mistress, 

 sleeping by the side of her husband, when you well know 

 there are strong hands and ready pistols all around to punish 

 your reckless love, this you must confess is worthy of a bold 

 heart, and the hero who performs it may well swear by his 

 beard, and walk with a high head among his fellows. That 

 is the manner that young men of any soul, prove it to sleepy 

 husbands who carry a stone in their bosoms in place of a heart. 



" As I have already said, the woman who is proud of the 

 bravery of her husband will always be faithful to him ; the 

 woman who finds she is coupled with a poltroon who has 

 never done anything but eat couscoussou by day, and snore 

 soundly at night, will take the greatest pleasure in deceiving 

 him, and conferring his rights upon men better able to guard 

 them. By such a course of conduct the woman never offends 

 her own conscience, and public opinion very justly exonerates 

 her fair name from all blemish. 



" As she has been joined without her own consent to a man 

 whom she never knew until after marriage, the moment that 

 she learns his true character, and discovers that he is a pol- 

 troon, she endeavors to get rid of him in order to get a better 

 one, for the Arab widow may choose a husband according to 

 her fancy. 



"Then she selects a lover from the young men of her 

 acquaintance, one who has a lion's heart and an iron arm, 

 that will not shrink from the sweet meetings, dangerous 



