remember you are chasseurs d'Orleans." Immediately the charge was sounded, and in spite of the difficulties of the ground, in spite of the briars, in spite of rocks, they sprang up like monkeys, clambering and jumping over every obstacle, braving the bullets showering perpendicularly upon them, and avoiding the enormous blocks which the Kabyles rolled down upon their heads. In this way, using their feet and hands, they reached an encampment beyond which it was impossible by any effort to proceed. Crouching down among the rocks, they directed their carbines towards the crest, killing every Kabyle who ventured to show himself. From time to time they made renewed efforts to advance, and many a hand was shattered by the stones rolled down from above. It was a singular spectacle, a scene from the middle ages; reminding one of the storming of one of those ancient fortresses built on the edge of a precipice.

When the General reached the spot, he commanded a retreat, unwilling to shed uselessly the blood of these brave fellows, and ordered the battalion, reinforced by other troops, to guard every passage, and to bivouac on this side of the rock. A Kabyle prisoner pointed out two narrow paths by which the tribes had reached these

heights, which they considered impregnable, and so terrible were these roads, that the horses and cattle had to be hauled up with ropes; but the Kabyle added that there was no supply of water; and from that moment we were assured that before three days all these people would be ours. A blockade was ordered, and this natural fortress was surrounded by a network of posts.

The 58th, who had attempted an escalade from another side, had been more fortunate at first. At one moment, the soldiers fancied themselves already on the summit of the rock; great was their joy to think they had reached these insolent Kabyles, and were about to drive them at the point of the bayonet into the precipice below. Arrested in their progress, however, by a rocky ravine, they had to content themselves with guarding the passes. Their losses were insignificant, but Colonel Illens was among the killed. A bullet had passed completely through him as he was advancing at the head of his troops, and his body had just been brought into the camp.

The column was thus divided into two sections: one guarding the northern acclivities, the other those to the south and east; the reserve and baggage remained established amongst the gardens, where the pomegranates interweaving their

A

red blossoms with the spreading vines, running from tree to tree, afforded us a cool shelter. In the evening, all the bivouac fires burst forth like stars along the sides of the mountain. An enormous flame, doubtless some signal, gleamed at the eastern extremity of the rocks; above our heads, was stretched the clear vault of heaven. fire of olive-tree wood imparted its gentle heat, and the evening was spent in smoking and chatting, ere we addressed ourselves to sleep, when suddenly Carayon Latour, one of the best buglers in France, set up the hallah, and all the hunting tunes in succession; a magnificent echo repeating the sound in the distance. We listened in silence, and unwearyingly, to these beautiful sounds, as they spread from mountain to mountain. It was necessary, however, that we should take rest in order to prepare for the next day's fatigues.

On the 19th, the blockade continued, all kept watch at the posts. At night we discharged a mournful duty; Colonel Illens was buried in the interior of an Arab house. When the deep grave was filled up, the house was set on fire in order to save the body from profanation by the Kabyles. We learned subsequently that this pious stratagem had succeeded.

VOL. I.

G

Meanwhile, the thirst of the occupants of the mountain was growing intense; and we could judge by the bellowing of the herds that a few hours would settle the affair. On the 28th, surely enough, at about noon the chiefs implored for aman, and gave themselves up into the hands of the General. While the envoys sent to parley were in our camps, the flocks, driven by thirst, rushed like an avalanche down the narrow paths, and ran to the river as though they were all mad. From a barren rock, a bare and naked ridge, whole tribes of people poured forth like a torrent; the shrieks, the dust, the tumult, were beyond belief. Sheep, goats, oxen, were heaped together with the women and children, who, urged on no less by thirst, were running to the water in company with their cattle; while the children, more eager than their parents, rushed upon the little bags attached to the soldiers' belts. The soldiers, always humane, let them have their way. As to the men, with fierce countenances, and even haughty glance, they suffered in silence, with unbroken calmness and still menacing gestures. The soldiers little heeded this; they cared little about politics, and provided the flocks were secured, they were satisfied. Accordingly, in the evening, victory was celebrated by many a festive group; quarters

of lamb, dishes of brains, and roasted joints of mutton, furnishing forth the banquet.

The tribes were disarmed, and the chiefs detained as hostages, and by this fortunate defeat we had become masters at one sweep of the entire population of the southern portion of Ouar Senis. It now remained that we should obtain the submission of the tribes of the north; but first we had to dispose of our flocks and of our prisoners. On the 24th, accordingly we set out with our ten thousand head of cattle towards Teniet-el-Had, a station recently established on the line of parting of the waters, three leagues from the plateau of Serrsous. Two days afterwards we were passing through the magnificent cedar woods, from which Teniet-el-Had is perceived. The varied points of view, the irregular character of the soil, its extent embracing nearly five leagues, and the majestic size of the trees, render this forest one of the most curious spots in Africa. It would be imprudent, however, to venture into it alone, for it presents everywhere traces denoting the presence of lions. Colonel Kerte of the 1st Chasseur d'Afrique, commandant of Tenietel-Had, advanced to meet the General mounted on a splendid white horse. He managed him with all the grace peculiar to the traditions of the old