328 THE LION KILLER. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



MY ADOPTED CHILD LEAVES GUELMA, AND WELCOMES ME AT 

 PARIS. 



It was in the month of October, 1847, that Hubert left 

 Guelma to the great regret of the ladies, to whom he had 

 been exceedingly gallant, and the soldiers of every grade and 

 service, who all loved him as much as they did me. 



Lehman and Bibart got very drunk, in order the better to 

 support the grief of separation, but they were none the less 

 moved when the last moment came round, and were obliged 

 to be locked up in the guard-house before they would allow 

 their friend to be removed. 



Once at Algiers, Hubert was found to be too grand and 

 beautiful to remain in their provincial gardens, and it was 

 decided that he should make a visit to Paris, and I was 

 detached to accompany him. The poor animal was indeed 

 too large and beautiful for the sad life lie was thereafter to 

 lead. The captain of the vessel that carried us across the 

 Mediterranean, allowed me to have the cage open for a few 

 hours at a time when Hubert was eating his meals, having 

 first stretched cables across the deck to prevent the curious 

 passengers from coming too near my pet. As soon as the 

 door was open, Hubert came out, and after thanking me for 

 the privilege after his fashion, and given me as many tokens 

 of his regard as the circumstances would permit, he walked 

 up and down the deck as far as his chain would allow him to 



