The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-05-03

tribe In the absence OF the Snlek, thongnt
il best to do this.
At the hour when the lion left his den 10
men, the Caid and young boy, almost
child, son Of the Shiek, also left the douar
and marched in silence toward the plain,
hoping to surprise the Christians and carry
off their cattle. Being ignorant of the num-
ber of the enemy they were to encounter,
the Caid recommended his men to advance
with great caution, either that the surprise
might be complete, or, in case it seemed best
not to attack, that they might retire without
raising the infidels' attention.
They approached noiselessly, arms in readi
ness, finger on the trigger, with the Roumi
1.-THE Shiek's SOM some steps in advance, for
even in the desert "noblesse oblige." His
old kinsman, the Caid was proud Of the
child's courage and followed his every move
ment with look in which could be read
mingled solicitude and admiration.
They were nearing the end of their expe-
dition when the lion, who scented their ap-
proach before seeing them, opened his large
eyes, knitted his brows and rose. A hyena
would have fled like a coward, panther
would have lain in ambush to surprise them
later, but the lion advanced proudly to the
middle of the ravine. He shifted at the
earth, then with swinging tail, which swept
the ground from side to side, with bristling
name and sparkling eyes, majestic aud ter
rible, he paused.
= 1t was at this moment that the Zephyr
saw him. The hautboy, from which he
lately drew such sweet sounds, slipped from
his hand and for half 8 minute he remained
petrifed with stupor. But soon recovering
his presence of mind and his courage he
seized his gun, cooked it, and took aim. He
oh 70 y,a;, h oh,
he could not explain at first, prevented him.
Almost at the same instant he heard q voice,
with an accent OF prOfoundest terror, cry
"Caid."
1t was the Roumi who had just perceived
the lion. Seized with the horrible fear which
that animal always produces on the Arab,
he turned and ran toward his companion.
All saw him then. The Caid, forgetting
the Christians, whom he had come to sur
prise, commanded "Fire!D Ten musket-
shots rang out in the night, lighting up the
ravine, but the lion remained standing. He
gave a roar which was echoed like thunder
on every side of the mountain, then with
one prodigious bound he fell on the Sheik's
son. The lion was holding the Roumi under
his heavy paw; his claws were digging into
his flesh, whilst with open mouth, painting
breath, his eyes blazing with ferocity, he
seemed ready to devour him.
1t was at this moment that Carette fired.
The noble beast, struck in the temple, gave
a second roar, but it was only death-rattle
this time, and he fell to rise no more. Mean
while, not knowing that he was dead, the
soldier jumped into the ravine and advanced
bravely to the ferocious beast, whilst the
Arabs, in spite of their incontestable cour-
age, rested on the defensive, not daring to
approach to dispatch the lion or to raise
their young c0mrade. 1t was the Zephyr
that lifted him and placed him upon rock.
I have said that Carette had travelled with
a charlatan and pretended to certain medi-
cal knowledge. If his pretensions were not
fully justified they were in measure, his
master taking about with him skeleton
and some anatomical plates, which he ex-
hibited to the public His pupil had often
examined them and he had in addition a
iightness of touch, dexterity acquired in
prestidigitation during another phase of his
adventurous youth. This explains how he
stanched the blood, bandaged the wounds
and tended the Roumi with skill which
gave the Arabs an exalted idea of his talents.
When his nephew came to himself the
Caid, who until then had not spoken, went
up to Carette and thanked him without
much effusien, but in the grave tones pecu-
liarto the men of the mountains, which, if
itfs less expressive, is always more sincere
than the loquacity of the Greeks. The
Zephyr, who spoke little Arabic, like most
soldiers who have passed some time in
Africa, expressed to the Caid his desire to
live on good terms with them in so earnest
a tone that his new friends could not doubt
his sincerity. From that day he was, so to
speak, adopted by the tribe of Beni-Ham-
mers, and almost lived with them. The
sheep were guarded by the men belonging
to the douar, TO which the Zephyr had
rendered service. During this time Car
cite tended the sick, played on the hautboy,
ate hot dishes, swallowed yatagans and Jug
gled for everybody.
His popularity became so great with these
simple people that they often wondered
what was to become of them when the
stranger went away. In order not to grieve
my readers, will not speak of the young
girls; 1 will merely say that the waters of
the spring, from which they filled their
pitchers, preserved for long time a pecu-
liar taste on account of the tears they shed
when speaking of the departure of the JOY
full"
Four months later we returned to the
plain where we had abandoned the sheep.
The expedition had been gone longer than
we at first supposed, but it had ended hap
PLY. Kabylia was subdued; the douars
had surrendered; the tribute had been dis
charged, and the Kabyles, who had received
us with musket-shots at the beginning of
the campaign, returned in our ranks, desert
ing as they neared their own villages.
When the advance-guard emerged from
the mountains on to the plain and saw it
covered with sheep, browsing quietly,
great cry arose, and the news spread with
the rapidity of telegram from head to foot
of the column. "Carette and the sheep!
The sheep and the Zephyr! Impossible!
But, look, there they are!" These phrases
and others like them, were repeated from
left to right of our little army, and reached
the General, who, not finding it credible
put his horse to gallop, in order to confirm
such a miracle with his own eyes. The
Zephyrs more interested than anybody in
the matter, as it was to them an affair of
honor, raised a "hurrah," and broke into
run. At last we had to yield to ocular evil
dence. The sheep were there, and Carette
leaning ON his gun, smiling, but with some
thing grave in his eyes, waited our arrival
with dignity.
Then the drums beat, the bands played
their gayest airs, and for an hour the brave
Zephyr was the object of veritable ovation.
Short Stories.
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