282 THE LION KILLER. 



CHAPTER XV. 



THE LION OF KROU-NEGA. 



On my return to Guelma, my first care was to break the 

 fever that had driven me from the field. But this was a 

 difficult task, for the disease followed my path like a blood- 

 hound on a scent, until at last, towards the end of the month 

 of February, 1844, I concluded to go to Bone for a change of 

 air. 



The first news that I heard after reaching this place, was 

 that my old friend, the black lion, was sacrificing a hecatomb 

 of beef for his weekly supplies, most of it taken from a farm 

 near the mosque of Sidi-Dendon. Although I was still 

 unwell, I sent for my arms that I had left at Guelma, and 

 started out from Bone with two rifles, intending to renew 

 his acquaintance. The first night I spent at the farm, and 

 the evening following, I dismounted at the douars of the Ouled- 

 Bou-Aziz, opposite the mountain of Krou-Nega. The lion, 

 after a long jaunt he had taken a short time before, when I 

 had trotted after him like a jackal, had returned to his old 

 haunts on the hill. The Arabs informed me that every even- 

 ing the douars were thrown into consternation by his 

 attacks, which occurred very early in the evening, and conse- 

 quently, I immediately loaded my guns in anticipation of fiis 

 coining. At the moment I was putting the caps on the tubes, 

 the lion sounded his first roar. 



Being little acquainted with the country, I requested a guide 

 to come with me, and show me the fords and mountain-paths, 



