412 THE LION KILLER. 



permission to kiss her. The maiden proffered her warm 

 cheek, and the lion with his great tongue licked the red lips 

 of Aicha. He then bowed to her farewell, and sat himself 

 down as though to watch and make sure that Aicha reached 

 her tent in safety. The girl turned her head three or four 

 times in the short walk before her, to see if the lion was still 

 there, and she saw him always watching her from the same 

 place, until she entered the tent. 



" ' Ah ! you have come,' exclaimed the father ; ' I began 

 to be alarmed at your stay.' 



" The girl smiled. 



M ' I feared that you had had some unpleasant encounter in 

 the woods.' 



" The girl smiled again. 



<l But since you are here, it is a proof that you have not 

 beeu troubled.' 



" * Indeed, my father, I have had a very pleasant encounter, 

 that is, if you call a lion a pleasant person to meet.' 



" In spite of the ordinary impassibility of the Arabs, the 

 old man grew pale. 



" ' A lion,' he cried, ' and he did not devour you V 



" ' On the contrary, he praised my comely looks, then 

 offered to see me home, and came with me to the village 

 gate.' 



" The Arab thought his child was mad. 



" ' Impossible !' he cried. 



" ' How impossible V 



" ' How am I to believe that a lion is capable of such a 

 piece of gallantry. 



" ■ Shall I prove it to you ?' 



" ' By what means V 



" ' If you go to tent door, you will see him either sitting 

 where I left him, or returning home.' 



" ' Wait till I take down my gun.' 



