NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



youngsters. However, as they began closing in on 

 the now terrified dogs, we happened to arrive, and 

 a few shots from our rifles sent them off up the hill 

 again. It is usually young or inexperienced dogs 

 which fall victims to baboons. Dogs which have 

 hunted baboons, and have come to close quarters 

 with them, and escaped with their lives, learn how 

 to make the attack with the best chance of coming 

 off best. They learn that the baboon always seeks 

 to grip his antagonist before biting, and, by keeping 

 out of arms' length, and circling round and round 

 the baboon, they daze and frighten him. Their 

 object is to keep him at bay until the arrival of their 

 master. Should the baboon attempt to retreat, he is 

 at a disadvantage, for the dogs instantly attack him 

 from behind. I saw a splendid fight put up by a 

 warrior baboon. He was overtaken by a number of 

 dogs. He might easily have escaped with the troop, 

 but the fine old fellow, thinking the youngsters were 

 in danger of being overtaken by the dogs before they 

 could gain a place of safety, turned and engaged the 

 dogs in combat. A greyhound in advance of the 

 rest attacked him and was killed within a moment 

 or two. When we arrived the baboon was facing 

 the howling pack of dogs with his back to a bit of 

 rock, and the lines 



" Come one, come all, this rock shall fly 

 From its firm base as soon as I " 



immediately occurred to me. 



52 



