AN EXCURSION IN THE MAHOUNA COUNTRY. 281 



far-away home, and her I loved so dearly. No sweeter praise 

 could have been bestowed on the stranger — no greater triumph 

 could have been won from the hostile tribes. 



The women desired, and I could not refuse their request, 

 some locks from the lion's mane, and to wear his heart, 

 which they wanted to divide among their boys, who would, 

 after eating it, become brave as the lion himself. 



At noon the lion made his triumphal entry into Guelma, 

 and suffered the extreme penalty of the law : that is, he who 

 had devoured so many victims, was hung, drawn, and quar- 

 tered, and his flesh divided among the different cantonments 

 of soldiers, served that night on many a merry board, when 

 the soldier forgot his fatigues with song and wine, and talked 

 of hunts and razzias, and fought old battles o'er again. 



