It seemed like the roar of a lion close to my ear, and I started up in wild affright, fancying myself a Christian prisoner about to be thrown to the wild beasts.

All around was dark as pitch--the lamp had gone out! The frightful bellowing continued without intermission; and, besides, there were sobs and screams, brutal laughter and cursing.

Dreadful moment! Presently a spark of light momentarily illumined our cell, and showed the anxious face of my mother, as she re-kindled the lamp, surrounded by the terrified children and girls, roused from their sleep by the hideous uproar.
"Oh, what is it ?--what is it ?" cried I.My mother's lips moved, but she could not make herself heard.

Having succeeded in lighting the lamp, she came close to me, and said-- "They seem to have put one of the bulls of La Camargue into the adjoining den for the next bull-baiting, and to have lashed it to frenzy with their goads.

The noise is terrific, but I do not suppose the animal can break loose." La Croissette now appeared among us, suffocating with laughter.