NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



troop was half way up a cliff a thousand feet in 

 height. 



The natives informed us this troop of baboons 

 were in the habit of feeding on the flat top of the 

 mountain during the morning. Three of us led 

 our horses up a steep narrow winding path, and after 

 over an hour's climb we reached the top without 

 mishap. Our Kafir scout had, meanwhile, been 

 reconnoitring, and reported that the baboons were 

 busy digging bulbs in a depression about the centre 

 of the flat-topped mountain. Mounting our horses 

 we rode forth, and gaining the brow of a hillock, 

 we saw a great troop of baboons scattered about, 

 busily engaged digging up bulbs with their fingers. 

 No sentry had been placed on guard on this occasion, 

 for no doubt the baboons thought themselves 

 secure on the top of this great flat-topped table 

 mountain surrounded by perpendicular cliffs. 



We had but a momentary glimpse of them in 

 the act of feeding, for on the instant of our 

 appearance over the rise, warning cries rang out, 

 mother apes snatched up their children and the 

 whole troop made off, chattering and screaming. 

 Five large males, in appearance like big broad- 

 shouldered, stunted Kafirs, guarded the rear, ever 

 and anon turning and exposing their great canine 

 teeth, which glittered in the sun. We had double- 

 barrelled guns loaded with loopers, which are the 

 largest kind of shot ; and to kill such large and 

 powerful animals as the warrior males, it was neces- 



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