THE HONEY RATEL 



expression of pleasure. The dog was not much 

 alarmed, and was inclined to take the whole affair 

 in a sporting spirit. Tiring of dodging about, the 

 dog stood still, and once again bowling itself at 

 it the ratel collided with the dog rather violently, 

 whereupon the terrier seized the ratel's hide and 

 worried it fiercely, but the animal took it all in good 

 part, and, drawing back a few paces, again trundled 

 itself against the dog. By this time the terrier had 

 lost his temper and assaulted the ratel in real earnest, 

 but the ratel didn't seem to mind. She took care, 

 however, only to allow the dog to worry away at 

 the tough skin of her back, and seemed to enjoy 

 the process. Thinking the dog might bite on 

 some tender part and enrage her, we carried her 

 off to her cage. 



This ratel goes by the name of Jeannie, and for 

 the past four years has been confined in a cage at 

 Port Elizabeth Museum. It is a great favourite with 

 practically all the children of the town, as well as 

 most of the adults. 



Everyone in or near Port Elizabeth knows Jeannie 

 the ratel. She is subjected to rather rough treat- 

 ment at times by visitors, but she takes it all in good 

 part, for it seems impossible to hurt her, so thick 

 and tough is her skin. You may pull her about 

 by the tail, pinch her, prod her with a stick, play 

 football or almost anything you please with her 

 body; and instead of getting angry she imagi^iV 

 you are doing it all to please her, and in consequence 



153 



