The little gentleman, though, was not awed.

"Do you mean to say that you have killed many lions, Monsieur
Tartarin?" he asked, very quietly.

The Tarasconian received his charge in the handsomest manner.

"Is it many have I killed, Monsieur? I wish you had only as many
hairs on your head as I have killed of them."

All the coach laughed on observing three yellow bristles standing
up on the little gentleman's skull.

In his turn, the Orleansville photographer struck in:

"Yours must he a terrible profession, Monsieur Tartarin. You must
pass some ugly moments sometimes. I have heard that poor
Monsieur Bombonnel" -- "Oh, yes, the panther-killer," said
Tartarin, rather disdainfully.

"Do you happen to be acquainted with him?" inquired the
insignificant person.

"Eh! of course! Know him? Why, we have been out on the hunt
over twenty times together."

The little gentleman smiled.

"So you also hunt panthers, Monsieur Tartarin?" he asked.