THE VERVET MONKEY OR BLUE APE 



first faint reflection from the sun tinged the sky on 

 the horizon, the monkeys were astir, and with the 

 greatest secrecy, and in absolute silence, they stole 

 out of their forest home, intent upon breakfasting on 

 mealies. The leader of the troop, who was a big 

 fellow a third larger than any of the others, was well 

 in advance, ready to give an alarm should he deem it 

 necessary. 



A Kafir securely hidden amongst some boulders 

 on an adjacent elevation gave the agreed-upon signal 

 — the hoot of an eagle-owl. Instantly the dogs were 

 unmuzzled, and the two bodies of men spread out 

 and met, forming a cordon across the mouth of the 

 kloof ; while those towards the extremities of the 

 line, advanced forward at a more rapid pace than 

 those in the centre, forming a crescent-shaped line. 

 The monkeys, finding themselves cut off from their 

 forest home, chattered and screamed shrilly. Then 

 a general rush was made away from that menacing 

 line of Kafirs and dogs. No sooner had they started 

 off than another body of men and boys started up 

 from amidst the grass, and advanced on them. The 

 troop of terror-stricken monkeys turned quickly 

 about, broke and scattered, each individual intent 

 upon saving himself. Some took refuge in the iso- 

 lated mimosa trees, others raced blindly away, or 

 frantically dashed at the line of black men and dogs 

 between them and their sanctuary. A few eluded 

 the kerries and assegais, and escaped into the kloof. 

 Others were run down by the dogs, and desperate 



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