elf durst no more walk among the
woods as we used to do.

Four days after the loss of the faithful Sultan, as we were going to
bed, we heard behind our cottage mewings like those of a cat, but much
louder. My father instantly rose, and, in spite of our entreaties and
fears, went out armed with his sword and gun, in the hope of meeting
with the animal whose frightful cries had filled us with dread; but the
ferocious beast, having heard a noise near the little hill where it was,
made a leap over his head, and disappeared in the woods. He returned, a
little frightened at the boldness and agility of the creature, and gave
up the pursuit till the following night. On the evening of the following
day, he caused some negroes to come from the island of Babaguey, whom he
joined with his own, and putting himself at their head, he thought he
would soon return with the skin of the tiger. But the carnivorous animal
did not appear during all that night; he contented himself with uttering
dismal howlings in the midst of the woods. My father being called to
Senegal by some of his friends, left us on the morrow. Before going, he
strictly enjoined us to keep fast the doors of the house, and to secure
ourselves against ferocious beasts. At night we barricadoed every avenue
to our cottage, and shut up the dog with us, which a friend of my father
had brought to him from the town to supply the place of that which we
had lost. But my sister and myself were but ill at ease; for our huts
being already decayed, we were afraid the tiger would get in, and devour
the successor of poor Sultan. However, Etienne came and quieted our
fears a little, by saying he would make the round of the huts during the
night. We then lay down, having left our lamp burning. Towards the
middle of the night, I was awoke by a hollow noise which issued from the
extremity of our large chamber. I listened attentively; and the noise
increasing, I heard our dog growling and also a kind of roaring like
that of a lion. Seized with the greatest terror, I awoke my sister
Caroline, who, as well as myself, thought a ferocious beast had got into
the cottage. In an instant our dog raised the most terrible barking; the
other animal replied by a hollow, but hideous growl. All this uproar
passed in my father's chamber. Our minds were paralyzed; the children
awoke, and came and precipitated themselves into our arms; but none
durst call Etienne to our assistance. At last my sister and myse