NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



males. There was no more orchard-raiding by that 

 troop of baboons. 



Once I rode in the rear of a party of Zulus who, 

 with a pack of mongrel dogs, were on their way to 

 endeavour to cut off a troop of baboons on a neigh- 

 bouring hillside. Some of the dogs', scenting the 

 baboons, became excited and rushed from the cover 

 of the scrub, under shelter of which it was hoped 

 the baboons could have been approached and cut 

 off from their retreat. The natives, with hoarse 

 yells of execration, tried to run down the baboons. 

 Some of the dogs lost all sense of caution in their 

 excitement, and rushed ahead at the retreating 

 troop. Four big hairy male baboons immediately 

 fell to the rear, retreating slowly. When the dogs 

 were within a few paces of them they, with one 

 accord, swung round and each seized a dog. It 

 was all done so rapidly, systematically, and withal 

 so cunningly, that the dogs were taken quite by 

 surprise. I saw the victims partially raised from 

 the ground, then gripped with the terrible dagger- 

 like fangs, and next instant they were impotently 

 kicking and struggling on the ground. All this 

 took but a few seconds of time, and before the other 

 dogs had come to close quarters, the baboons had 

 made off and joined the troop. Once again they 

 made a stand, but the remaining dogs were too 

 wary to be caught, and contented themselves by 

 barking furiously. Retreating with short quick 

 rushes, and turning at intervals to intimidate their 



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