270 THE LION KILLER. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



AN EXCURSION IN THE MAHOUNA COUNTRY. 



MY SECOND LION. 



On the 4tli of August, 1844, I received an invitation from 

 the inhabitants of Mahouna, the lion's paradise, that I imme- 

 diately accepted, and the setting sun saw me dismount at the 

 douar that had called me. 



Having found the village surrounded by immense piles of 

 light wood arranged for the reception of the lion, that paid 

 them nightly calls, I forbade their being lit, and immediately 

 selected the place I intended to occupy, to waylay him that 

 very night, in case he should come as usual to depredate on 

 the herds. 



The douar was placed upon a plateau of land overlooking 

 the surrounding country, and was surrounded by a hedge 

 eight feet in height. As the lion cleared this hedge some- 

 times from one side, and sometimes from another, and as the 

 place was of large circumference, it was difficult to tell with 

 any certainty from what side the attack would be made. 

 At last, by careful searching, I found the route by which the 

 animal usually came, and took my seat directly in his path, 

 to the great terror of the Arabs, who said: "Don't remain 

 there, he will walk right over you." 



