AX EXCURSION IN THE MAHOUNA COUNTRY. 279 



one time an entire village arrived at once from the side of 

 the ravine. One man on horseback marched at the head of 

 the column as leader, the rest followed, leading their mules 

 carrying their women and children. 



I saw one mule loaded with five women, all astride, one 

 behind the other. The cavalier that led the troop, came on 

 boldly to within thirty paces of the lion, when his horse, 

 catching the scent, suddenly plunged so violently, that he 

 came near rolling the whole harem down the hill. The rider 

 and his wives dismounted, and the men came within ten 

 paees of the lion, while the women clustered behind, 

 impressed with the undefined terror that affected them 

 all. 



It was a spectacle at once curious and instructive, to see 

 these men halting at a respectful distance before this animal, 

 that had been their scourge for a lifetime, and was now 

 motionless clay. They took their seats on the ground, cross 

 legged, and in silence, with their women behind them, each 

 party grouping itself together around its chief. For a long 

 time not a word was said, their eyes only were eloquent, as 

 they moved from the lion to the hunter, and back again to 

 the lion. 



There were men of all ages and conditions among this 

 multitude, and there was depicted on their countenances such 

 a melange of astonishment and fear, of admiration and 

 respect, that I was more touched by their mute homage, than 

 with the more noisy enthusiasm of the people of El-Archioua. 

 [ had not left the spot since the night, and it was on the very 

 field of battle that each family advanced in turn to offer me 

 its congratulations and thanks. ' 



The men, with stately grace, kissed the hem of my burnous, 

 or my rifle that lay at my side, saying, " May God strengthen 

 your arm, and bless you." 



The women kissed my hand, saying, " God bless the mother 



