A HUNT WITH THE ARAB LADIES. 401 



When within twenty paces, I fired both barrels in quick 

 succession, aiming for her breast. She fell like a log. I 

 thought she was dead, and was going up to where she fell, 

 when she once more raised herself on her feet, gave a short 

 roar, fell over on her side and e'xpired. 



A great cry went up from all the spectators, and the 

 women rushed down from their stronghold, and as they were 

 the nearest to the scene of action they were first to contem- 

 plate the body, and heap reproaches upon the teeth, the eyes 

 and claws of the poor beast, lying so dumbly on the green- 

 sward. As the curiosity of these ladies threatened to keep me 

 on the ground until evening, I promised them if they would 

 go down the mountain I would have the body carried to my. 

 tent where they could come at their leisure, and share in the 

 division of flesh. Then we made a sort of triumphal car of 

 boughs of trees and gun barrels, to carry the body of the 

 lioness into Ourten, where I took possession of the skin, divid- 

 ing the flesh among the Arabs. 



The next morning I left this country, bearing with me the 

 trophies of my triple victory, and a sadness that hung over 

 me like a cloud, on account of the state of Amer-ben-Sigha, 

 who had risked his life for his faith in my fortunate star, and 

 would have done so to the end of time without the slightest 

 doubt. 



Eight days after, while in the barracks at Constantine, I 

 received a letter from the cadi of Krenchela. 



Amar-ben-Sigha was dead. 



