Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-08-01
EVENING STAR,
A FASCINATING FELLOW.

About thirty years ago, says Jules Gerard.
the great lion hunter, young man named Sc.
ghir, belonging to the tribe Of Amamera, es
tablished in the Aures mountains, fell in love
with young girl who had been refused TO
him by the father on account Of his poverty
The young people, however, were much at
tached to each other, and one fine evening the
girl ran away with her lover. The distance
being considerable between the two douars,
and the road extremely perilous, Seghir had
armed himself from head to foot Already
the most dangerous part Of the road had been
cleared, and they were beginning to hear the
dogs Of the douar toward which they were
rapidly advancing, when, all at once, lion,
who till that moment had lain concealed be-
hind the rushes, rose and walked straight
toward them. The young girl shrieked SO
fearfully that her cries were heard by the
people in the tents, and several of the men
Immediately seized their arms and rushed
out to the rescue. When they reached the
spot, to which they were directed by the
screams Of the young maiden, they saw the
lion walking slowly few PAGES in front Of
Seghir, with his eyes steadfastly fixed upon
him, and leading him thus towards the forest.
The young girl did all she could to prevent
her lover following the lion, or induce him to
let 60 his hold Of herself, but it was in vain !;
he kept dragging her on in spite of all her
efforts, saying
"COme, my beloved, come, our master will
have it so; we must 60"
"But your weapons" she cried, "what are
they good for if not to save me ?'
"Weapons 1 have none" answered the
fascinated wretch. "Great lord believe her
not she lies; 1 am perfectly unarmed, and
will follow you wherever you will i''
At this moment the Arabs, eight or ten in
number, who had come to the rescue of the
unfortunate couple, perceiving that the lion
would very soon have them in the forest, fired
every one of them upon him; but on finding
that he did not fall they took to their heels
The lion sprang upon Seghir, and with one
bound crushed him to the earth, smashing his
head at bite; after which he laid down by
the side of the young girl, placing his huge
paws upon her knees.
The Arabs, now finding that the lion did
not condescend to pursue them, took courage
and returned, having reloaded their guns,
prepared again to FIRE; but being afraid Of
killing the girl, they told her to try and get
little away from the lion, which he allowed
her to do without ever losing sight of her.
The moment the guns of the Arabs were lev
eled q; him, the lion sprang into the midst of
them. seized one of them with his teeth, and
two other with his claws, dragging them thus
together, so as to make, as it were, one bun
die; then placing under him the mass Of pal
pitating flesh, he instantly smashed the three
utdUS a6 Nc 0du QOnc tudt OI DtgQlI-
Those who escaped ran off to the douar, and
related what they had witnessed, but no one
was bold enough to return to another attack.
The lion then took hold of the woman and
carried her off into the forest Next day they
came to carry away the bodies of the four
men. As to the young girl nothing was found
but her hair, her feet, and her clothes. All
the rest were devoured.
Is it then really true that the lion has the
power Of fascinating the weak Organization of
certain men to the extent of forcing them TO
follow him? All that L can say is, that every
Arab have interrogated on the subject has
answered me in the Affirmative, and quoted a
number OF examples In support of his asser-
ton. As for myself, L can only say, whenever
have had the honor to find myself in the
presence Of this great monarch, I never felt
the slightest inclination to follow his royal
steps, though can quite understand how his
threatening aspect, his kingly majesty, the
piercing fxedne.s Of his fiery look, should
paralyze the heart and brain of those who
meet him Unexpectedly.