MOZAMBIQUE TERRITORY (II!) 71 
the natives have meat-eating orgies which last day and night, 
till all the meat has gone and they themselves are as bloated as 
overfed vultures. : 
I have rarely seen so many baboons as existed in the Siluvu 
Hills. They went around in large troops, and it was great fun 
watching the antics of the babies playing together, and often 
being scolded by their mothers. Baboons, being mainly terrestrial, 
make off when disturbed by running on ¢erra firma even when 
among trees. My biggest thrills were when progressing silently on 
my bicycle. I would round a corner on a track, to find a large 
troop right in my path. On these occasions I always put on speed 
just to see the mothers excitedly snatching up their babies, amidst 
great chattering, as I charged upon them. The very young ones 
usually cling underneath their mothers, but it is a common sight 
to see the older ones riding their parents like jockeys. 
I have heard many stories about baboons attacking people, and 
of their tactics in trying to surround single persons, but as far as 
my own experience goes I have never seen any sign of aggression, 
even when I have suddenly come upon them at close quarters. 
Much of my experience has been in places where they had never 
been shot at, and therefore had no reason to fear humans. Such 
animals are often very curious, and provided one is not actually 
walking toward them, they may approach quite near, and then 
appear threatening while standing up to get a better view. Under 
these circumstances a timid person could easily imagine himself 
to be outflanked, but that they have no evil intentions I have 
proved myself when being followed. On occasions I have turned 
round suddenly and raced towards the nearest baboons, which has 
had the effect of startling the whole troop and putting them to 
flight. 
On my way back to Peters’ house from these excursions I often 
passed the rondavels—built of mud and grass—where the native 
women were pounding maize into meal, which is the staple diet 
of the country. They usually performed this daily task in pairs, 
showing rhythmic beauty as each in turn raised, double-handed, 
her large wooden pestle to stamp it into the single mortar, alter- 
nately straightening and bending with bare breasts dancing in 
