HUNT AMONG THE NATIVES OF COXSTANTINE. 365 



The cries and provocations are disregarded, something 

 stronger must be tried to make- him move. The hunters con- 

 sult, and hesitate, until at last an old man steps out, who, if 

 he has not been wounded on some former battle, at least has 

 some relative to revenge, and he speaks : 



" Young men — all of you who care for your fortunes, your 

 families, or your heads, you can go to your tents." 



Although there are a great many who value these neces- 

 saries of life, and would much prefer to be safely under their 

 tents, yet no one moves. The Arab who would leave at such 

 a moment, would be dishonored forever. The old man then 

 takes a few steps in advance, he proudly throws back his bur- 

 nous, and after taking aim for about five minutes, fires. The 

 ball goes skipping along wide of the mark, but the lion now 

 thoroughly indignant, springs to his feet ; he no longer 

 walks, but charges headlong. 



The rout of the Arabs is immediate and universal. Some of 

 those posted in the trees, send their balls at him in his pursuit, 

 the cavaliers advance, and the lion again crouche^down hold- 

 ing some unlucky wight, whose legs were not as quick as his 

 fears, under his gigantic paw. Another shot, and another 

 charge, until the lion finding himself fatigued by this desul- 

 tory mode of warfare, take a position that he will not quit 

 but with his life. 



He pays no attention to the balls and insults that they 

 hurl at him from a distance, but when the crowd gradually 

 approach, when shoulder to shoulder the long lines of Arabs 

 march up to closer quarters, while the snorting horses are 

 following close behind, when the iron tubes are all leveled at 

 the one target, and the single foe finds his enemy within reach, 

 he makes a prodigious bound at the living wall. The guns 

 belch forth their flame and ball, and under the canopy of 

 smoke that hangs in the still air, the royal beast rages and 

 tears, until he lies down on a pile of human flesh, and strug- 

 gling horses, and dies like a king, as he lived. 



