A NIGHT WITH THE ARABS. 41 7 



her new born child. A happy cub was that little infant, heir 

 to broader lands than any king, guarded by stronger arms 

 than any prince. The mother bestowed on him a thousand 

 caresses, and watched him grow day by day, bronzed by 

 African suns, and fanned by mountain winds, jealous of every 

 hour that divided him from her side. When he walked out 

 by night she frightened the mountains with her complaining ; 

 when he returned the rocks shook at her rejoicings. With 

 long walks and simple diet she strengthened his rugged frame, 

 with good counsel she fortified his understanding, and among 

 her many prudent advices none was given with greater 

 unction than the one, ' My child, beware of the seed of the 

 woman.' 



" As the weeks fled by, the strength of the young lion 

 increased. His limbs developed their muscles, his mane came 

 out little by little, and his voice at first so weak and whining 

 like a girl's, became so valorous that the flocks when they 

 heard it, kicked up their heels and scampered to the douars. 



" One day he came to his mother, saying, ' Now I am 

 strong and courageous, the seed of the woman I can hold 

 down with one paw, I think I will go out and teach him 

 obedience.' 



" The mother, frightened at this foolhardy bravery, endea- 

 vored to dissuade him from the attempt, but all her efforts 

 were unheeded or answered only by a pettish growl. Not 

 being able to turn his determination, she renewed her prudent 

 counsels and with a fond lick or two of her caressing tongue 

 gave him to the charge of God and the Prophet. 



" The young lion then bounded bravely out of the jungle 

 that had cradled his cubbish hours, and resolutely gained the 

 ridge of the mountains. For a long time he walked boldly 

 on, without seeing anything worthy of his steel. Fox and 

 stag, and light gazel vanished as he came, his very voice 



18* 



