"Sometimes, just for pastime," said the fiery Tarasconian. "But," he
added, as he tossed his head with a heroic movement that inflamed
the hearts of the two sweethearts of the regiment, "that's not worth
lion-hunting."

"When all's said and done," ventured the photographer, "a panther
is nothing but a big cat."

"Right you are!" said Tartarin, not sorry to abate the celebrated
Bombonnel's glory a little, particularly in the presence of ladies.

Here the coach stopped. The conductor came to open the door,
and addressed the insignificant little gentleman most respectfully,
saying:

"We have arrived, Monsieur."

The little gentleman got up, stepped out, and said, before the door
was closed again:

"Will you allow me to give you a bit of advice, Monsieur Tartarin?"

"What is it, Monsieur?"

"Faith! you wear the look of a good sort of fellow, so I would,
rather than not, let you have it. Get you back quickly to Tarascon,
Monsieur Tartarin, for you are wasting your time here. There do
remain a few panthers in the colony, but, out upon the big cats!
they are too small game for you. As for lion-hunting, that's all
over. There are none left in Algeria, my friend Chassaing having