350 MAMMALIA. 



neck, but was inefficient to cause death. While I was examining 

 the wounds, and reflecting on the difficulty of killing a Lion on 

 the spot, I heard a great noise behind me.. It was Lakdar who 

 rushed through the wood like a hunted wild Boar. 



" ' It is I,' he cried, out of breath, and forcing a way through 

 the underwood. ' I was there all the time, and heard everything. 

 The infidel, the ogre, the scourge, the fiend incarnate is dead, 

 dead ! Here is a happy day ! ' exclaimed' he, trying to disengage 

 a corner of his burnous from the thorns that held it fast. 



" Then he called with all his might to his brother, his sons, 

 and his wife, as if they were within sound of his voice : ' Come 

 to me ! bring the dogs ! he is dead ! he is dead ! ' 



"At last he went to where the Lion lay, saying: 'Thanks, 

 brother, for that which you have done this day. Henceforth I 

 am j^ours, body and goods.' 



" ' Look,' said I, ' and assure j'ourself if that be really your 

 friend.' 



" He crouched down in silence near the Lion, examined it 

 attentivelj', and endeavoured to raise its head, 



"'AH that you Lave taken from me,' he said, addressing the 

 carcass, ' all the evil you have done is as nothing, for now you have 

 ibund your master, and you are dead ; and I can now strike you 

 with my fist.' 



" And suiting the action to the word, he struck with no light 

 hand. 



" Soon after, the brother and sons of Lakdar also arrived, 

 attracted by the reports of my arms ; and it was not without 

 trouble that I induced them to accompany mo to the tent there 

 to wait for daylight. 



" Next day all the men, women, children, and dogs on the 

 mountain took their way towards the residence of Lakdar. Not- 

 withstanding this reinforcement of strength, the density of the 

 wood and the weight of the carcass was so great that it was 

 impossible to remove it from the place where it fell ; so, ultimately, 

 we were obliged to skin it where it lay. 



" Lakdar asked me as a favour to allow him to accompany me 

 to Guelma, so as to make his entry with me, himself carrying 

 these spolia opima. I consented, and in order to enhance the 

 triumphal rejoicings, he spread the Lion's skin on the Mule he 



