454 THE HUNTING GEOUNDS 



Arabs eat the berries, (now ripe,) the laburnum, (in 

 flower,) and several kinds of thorny shrubs, one of 

 which bears a yellow flower, and is called by the 

 French " Jaune d'Espagne." 



There is no large timber: cork-trees, few of 

 which are more than a foot in diameter, are the 

 most common. 



The Arab who lost his cow the night before our 

 arrival came to us with a doleful story, saying that 

 he was a poor man, and that his brother would 

 make him pay for it, if he did not kill the lion, as 

 it was his turn to watch the cattle on that night. 



His real name is Taib, but Mr B christened 



him " Corbeau," (on account of our having found 

 him perched in a tree last night,) and the Arabs 

 have confirmed the cognomen. 



During the next fortnight we had a good deal of 

 wet weather, and did little but shoot small game, of 

 which we killed heavy bags. Nothing more was 

 heard about the lions, and although we daily took 

 long walks in the most likely places, we saw no 

 fresh tracks. 



Wednesday, 10th March. — Had a consulation as 

 to our future proceedings, at which it was deter- 

 mined to start at once for Constantine, and from 

 thence towards the southward, via, Melila, Bathna, 

 and Biscara, should the weather permit. Engaged 

 a diligence, said to be capable of containing twenty- 

 three passengers, for our party, and made arrange- 

 ments to start at six A.M. on Friday morning. 



