324 THE LION KILLER. 



scene of so much anticipated usefulness, and in the bud of 

 her youthful days, was owing to a difficulty in teething, a 

 process of nature very dangerous to the leonine family, 

 unaided as they generally , are by suitable medical advice. 

 But her brother grew apace, and as day after day brought 

 forth some new evidence of childish grace, or sentiment of a 

 kindly heart, he became beloved by all who knew him, and 

 ills young appetite drank dry nearly all the she-goats in the 

 camp. 



I write these lines with a chastened sorrow, to recall the 

 many acts and infantile graces of my child Hubert, that will 

 be a pleasant memory not only to myself, but to the many 

 comrades of his early days, whose lonely hours were enliven- 

 ed by his quaint gambols, and affectionate caresses. 



Besides his most intimate friends, he had a great number 

 of ordinary ones. Hubert counted but these three, the 

 trumpeter Lehman, the farrier Bibart, and the spahi Rostain, 

 who a year afterwards was torn to pieces under my very eyes 

 by the lion of Mejez-Amar. 



When Hubert first joined the squadron, his name was 

 entered on a little book as a second rate private of dragoons, 

 awaiting promotion. Everything he did of any renown was 

 immediately recorded in this book, together with all his 

 marches and campaigns. 



These are some extracts I have taken from the volume which 

 show his high character, and rapid advancement in the career 

 of arms. 



20th April, 1846, (Hubert was three months old at this 

 time). The trumpets sounded the call, " to horse." The 

 squadron assembled in the court of the barracks, in order 

 to march to the parade ,ground, The cavalier Hubert 

 having been locked up in the second story room, anci 

 hearing the call, springs up to the window and caljs out, 

 " present." 



