THE AARD VARK OR EARTH HOG 



sinking two shafts in the direction the creature was 

 burrowing, came upon it. However, it made a 

 desperate bid for Hberty for, with a rush, it came 

 out of the hole and endeavoured to escape. However, 

 one of the Kafirs made a grab and succeeded in laying 

 hold of its tail with both hands. Away ambled the 

 Aard Vark, with the man bumping along the veld 

 behind it. He held on grimly, and after a run of 

 about a hundred yards the other natives came along- 

 side and cast a rope net around the creature and 

 secured it. Shouting out a song of triumph, they 

 shouldered it, and to-day it is enjoying a happy 

 existence in a Zoological Garden with not a thought 

 for the morrow, knowing full well the kindly keeper 

 will, at certain times, bring it a dish of mincemeat 

 and milk. 



One day we surprised a large Python among some 

 rocks which were partly covered by thick, scrubby 

 bush, so common in South Africa. In the centre 

 of this, among some dead leaves, the Python lay until 

 my terrier-dogs disturbed its slumbers. 



After much trouble I dislodged the reptile, for 

 my object was to capture it alive, as I have always 

 had a weakness for keeping live snakes. However, 

 I noticed the snake was rather bulky in the part of 

 him where we knew his stomach was located. Then 

 he began a series of heaving movements, and 

 presently disgorged the half-digested remains of a 

 half-grown Aard Vark. Then, feeling lighter, he 

 made off towards some adjacent rocks, but I soon 



VOL. IV. 241 16 



