492 
MERGE TO GYRENE. 
and the plain was reached without interruption. We had been so 
much accustomed to the cry of the jackall, an animal very common 
in northern Africa, that it would not of itself have engrossed our 
attention for a moment ; but although we had very frequently been 
disturbed by hyaenas, we never found that familiarity with their howl 
or their presence could render their near approach an unimportant 
occurrence ; and the hand would instinctively find its way to the 
pistol before we were aware of the action, whenever either of these 
interruptions obtruded themselves closely upon us either by night 
or by day. It must, however, be confessed that the cry of the jackall 
has something in it rather appalling, when heard for the first time at 
night ; and as they usually come in packs, the first shriek which is 
uttered is always the signal for a general chorus. We hardly 
know a sound which partakes less of harmony than that which is 
at present in question ; and indeed the sudden burst of the answering 
long-protracted scream, succeeding immediately to the opening note, 
is scarcely less impressive than the roll of the thunder-clap immedi- 
ately after a flash of lightning. The effect of this music is very much 
increased when the first note is heard in the distance, (a circumstance 
which often occurs,) and the answering yell bursts out from several 
points at once, within a few yards, or feet, of the place where the 
auditors are sleeping. The jackall can never be a formidable animal 
to anything but sheep and poultry, unless, perhaps, when the num- 
ber assailing is very great ; but it is usually so little molested by the 
Arabs, whose dogs protect their live-stock from harm, that we have 
frequently gone close up within a few yards of one, before he would 
turn to walk away. The same indifference in retreating is also pecu- 
