NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



attempting to rush away, seemed to become dazed 

 and ceased to struggle. The Mungoose loosening 

 its grip of the thigh instantly seized its victim by the 

 throat, and soon a red stream denoted that the jugular 

 vein or carotid artery, or both, had been severed. 

 The Mungoose then manfully strove to drag the 

 body to some cover adjacent, fearing lest a rival 

 might dispossess it of its prey. Finding eventually 

 that the body was too heavy to be dragged away, the 

 alert little creature stood high upon its hind-legs and 

 carefully glanced around. A twig cracked under me, 

 and instantly the quick ear of the Mungoose detected 

 it. Up went its head, and for the space of a minute 

 it remained motionless, listening intently and 

 searching every grass tuft and bush with its keen, 

 brilliant eyes. Eventually it seemed assured there 

 was no reason to be alarmed, and it forthwith began 

 to satisfy its hunger, ever and anon raising its head 

 with a jerk and listening intently. However, all 

 its caution availed it nothing, for an eagle from the 

 point of a crag on a krantz some distance away had 

 spied it. Launching itself noiselessly into the air, 

 the bird made a detour, and under cover of the hill, 

 swept right overhead and poised in mid-air. In- 

 stantly the Mungoose saw it and recognised a deadly 

 foe. With a grunt of defiance it stood at bay refusing 

 to dash for cover which it could easily have done and 

 escaped, for the momentary poising of the Eagle 

 and the scream it uttered was to frighten off the 

 Mungoose. It had been well for him if his courage 



164 



