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THE STRIPPED HYENA. 



to drag the weapon from his hand. In a few moments his eyes became accustomed to 

 the obscurity, and he could perceive the Hyena still holding on to the point of the 

 sword. A sudden effort sufficed to free the weapon, and with a quick thrust, the blade was 

 buried to the hilt in the creature's breast, laying the Hyena dead on the floor of the cave. 



Just as M. Gerard had withdrawn the dripping sword, and was about to drag the 

 slain animal from the cave, his attendant arrived, accompanied by some negroes whom 

 he had pressed into the service. 



The hunter thought that he had deserved some credit for his hand-to-hand combat 

 with so powerful an animal, and was unpleasantly disappointed when the Arab recom- 

 mended him to return thanks that he had not used his gun, and advised him to dis- 

 card the ensanguined sabre, as it would betray him. Indeed he found that he had 

 committed a woeful blunder, and that it behooved him to achieve some specially daring 

 deed in order to stop the slanderous tongues of the Arab tribes. 



STRIPED HYENA. 

 STRIPED OR CRESTED HYENA, OR STRAND OR WOLF.-Hyaaa striata. 



He afterwards found that the Arabs scorned to use a weapon against the Hyena, 

 which they killed in a most unique manner. 



Taking a handful of wet mud, or similar substance, and presenting themselves at the 

 mouth of the Hyena's den, they extend their hand to the animal, and say mockingly, 

 " See, how pretty I will make you with this henna ! " They then dash the wet com- 

 post into the creature's eyes, drag him out by a paw, and gag him before he recovers 

 from the sudden bewilderment. The poor beast is now handed over to the women 

 and children, who stone it to death. 



These Hyenas are very fond of dog-flesh, and employ a very ingenious mode of catch- 

 ing their favorite prey. The female. Hyena creeps quietly, and ensconses herself 



