278 THE LION KILLER. 



who had not yet come out from their douar, but Saadi-bou- 

 Xar explained this apparent indifference, by saying that they 

 were afraid the lion was not yet dead. 



It took about half an hour for them to decide to come out- 

 side of the hedo-e to briiag me a vase of water I had called for, 

 and when three of the boldest had decided upon risking the 

 attempt, the following was the order of procession of this 

 prudent triumvirate, bound on their hazardous mission 



First, an Arab walking slowly with the step of a cat, and 

 looking now on one side, and now on another, with his gun 

 to his shoulder, ready to fire at anything that moved. 



Second, the water carrier with his flagon of water in one 

 hand, and the other holding on to the skirts of his leader's 

 burnous, stopping when he stopped, and advancing when he 

 advanced. 



Third, the rear guard holding the burnous of his prede- 

 cessor in one hand, and brandishing a yataghan in the 

 other. 



This was the order of march until they arrived within 

 sight of the lion, and then they called a halt, and Saadi-bou- 

 Nar was obliged to strike the body with his hand, before 

 they would altogether venture into the presence of his late 

 majesty. 



II rfy a que le premier pas quLcoute, it is said, and the 

 result justified the motto, for in five minutes the people of the 

 douar, who had doubtless been watching the process, made a 

 a rush for the spot, and men, women, dogs and children came 

 hurrying out to kiss the hand of the victor they formerly 

 despised, and insult the fallen greatness, that had ever made 

 them tremble in their very tents. 



Before sunrise, the Arabs were coming in from every side, 

 with their families. I received that day hundreds of visitors, 

 carefully observing their gestures, and treasuring their words, 

 to guide me in my future intercourse with the people. At 



