Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-04-14

rabs could ever hope TO be. The task woulc
be an easy one here, as I would have com
paratively open country, and daylight to ac
'complish that which had often done in th'
dark forest, and so I sent for my arms that
had left at Constantine, aud went down t
pay visit to the Zmouls that inhabit thu
country around Mt. zarazer, place con
stantly frequented by lions. For some days
after my arrival a drizzing rain obscuret
the mountains, and I remained in my tent
occupied with the duties of the government
that brought me from Constantine. On the
first of February, two fractions of the tribe
Seguia came in to join the chase that was tc
take place on the morrow.
directed them to detail men enough tc
hunt the woods through with the early light,
and whenever they should find that the lion
was marked down, they should give a signal
by lighting fire to serve as rallying point
The remainder of the day spent in going
over the mountain, so as to have perfect
knowledge of the country. found the hills
to be long and precipitous, with the eastern
side falling abruptly off, and the western cut
up with gullies and copse-Wood.
The next day was clear, and a tropical sun
as it rose, glistened on broad sheet Of snow
that had robed the hills on yesterday. AT
three o'clock in the morning the village was
awake for the foray, the simple breakfast had
been eaten, and the men of the tribe were
securing their arms or eirdiug up their loius
for the combat. Dogs barked, cattle lowed,
the women called, and shout answered to
shout, and neigh to neigh, as the swarthy
riders, one by one, swung themselves into
the saddle, aud the whole party swooped out
CT the iuclosure on the open plain, and sped
forward to the mountain. By my side rode
Aslarben. Taieb, the Shiek of the 0uled
Sassi, and Mohammed.b ben. Ghenem, the
Shiek of Ouled Achour, who were each to
command their respective tribes forthe day,
while the whole force was under my general
direction.
We rode for an hour along the base Of the
hills towards the south, until we saw a
column of smoke rising slowly from rock,
like a sentinel AS we approached, we saw
the Arabs shaking their buruous--this was
the signal that they had found lion. See
ing native keeping watch at little distance
from the fire, on the ridge of the hill, di,
rected my steps to him, and as ! followed
the direction of his hand that he silently
pointed to the earth, I,saw the fresh tracks
of three lions. '.."'
1t is said that sin once acknowledged is
half pardoned. If so, tits fortunate for me,
for at that moment I was proud when saw
in the snow, on one side, the trail of three
lions, and on the other forty men armed to
the teeth. And I was pleased when | over
looked the assemblage not to find one among
the multitude dressed like myself. There
was nothing so neat as the spahi uniform
wore, or the poiguard that glittered at my
belt, my only defence in the hand to hand
conflict that was always likely to occur.
The Arab who had at first pointed out to
me the tracks, had followed me in silence as
7 traced their course In turning my head,
I noticed on his countenance mocking all
that seemed to say, "Therc are three; how
do you like that, my fine fellow =
"They are young" I said. al wish they
had been old ones"
He made me wry face, and went back tc
tell the party what I said. Having reached
a plateau, discovered resting place that
the lions had quilted only short time, and
then they appeared to have entered copse
near by, that seemed very suitable place IL
which they might lay concealed.
I ordered the two tribes to follow the crest
of rocks that formed a sort of ran part te
the Zarazer country, as far as the last rock
that overlooked theplain. Having reached
the northern point they were to sweep the
two slopes of the hills-the tribe of Oulec
Sassi, the better hunters, the western slopes
where I supposed the lions were concealed
and the Ouled Achour, the eastern slope
Each tribe was to detail two men to follow
the ridges, to regulate the progress OF tht
hunt, and some sentinels to communicate witt
me, and the whole of the force was to march
towards the south, making great noise, bu
firing no gun. In case the lions shoult
show themselves, the cries were TO cease, ane
the burnous of the videttes to be waved.
Having regulated the operations of th'
hunters, I took my seat on rock on th'
plateau, the numerous tracks of lions beneath
the thin snow making me believe that thi
was their customary path. Having placed
nv two followers on rock where they coult
see everything without being exposed to dan
ger, I placed my two rifles by my side, aut
patiently awaited the result. Soon the nor
therly wind bore to my ears long hurral
from the ridge of the hills, and fixed my at
tentiou on the sentnels posted on the differ
ent eminence within sight. Then came tn
cry:
nThere he goes" repeated from lip to lip
now faint, and now clear, so that there wa
no mistake-the lion was coming.
waited for about an hour, listening 70
some other call or sign, to know what wa
passing, when a gazelle appeared on tn
ridge of the little plateau. She looked owe
her shoulder, and then dashing down, pas
sing within ten feet of the place where
stood, without noticing me, was immediatel,
lost to sight. I looked the way she came
TO zee the meaningSof her flight, aud hear,