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 applied to Constantine, for it has been besieged and taken many times. Romans and Numidians, Turks, Arabs, and Christians have in turn fought for the possession of this natural fortress and obtained it. It is strange that a city so strongly fortified by nature should have known so many conquerors. But we rejoice that the last successful besiegers fought for the cause of civilization under a Christian flag.

IN THE ABYSS

It was in 1836 that the French army first moved against the rock-perched city. Defeat, however, awaited that first