2 46 THE MONKEY TRIBES 



and down before the rest, conspicuous for his exhibition of impotent 

 rage, and occasionally seizes some of the smaller of his brethren, and, 

 by a few savage bites that send them howling and disgusted away, 

 shows what he would gladly do to his dangerous enemy below if he 

 only dared. They generally, however, live rather peaceable lives, 

 varied wuth a few predatory excursions into the inviting fields of the 

 farmers, where, having eaten all they possibly can, they bear away as 

 nuich more in their cheek-pouches and hands, to be attended to after- 

 ward at their leisure. This occupation, together with the enforcement 

 of the discipline necessary for the welfare of every well-ordered family, 

 occupies the lime of the adults. 



The Story of a Baboon. — A great traveler in South Africa 

 tells an interesting story of a baboon named Kees which he had cap- 

 tured and tamed. "He was an excellent sentinel, whether by day or 

 night. By his cry, and the symptoms of fear which he cxhil)ited, we 

 were always apprised of the approach of an enemy, even though the 

 dogs perceived nothing of it. The latter, at length, learned to rely 

 upon him with such confidence that they slept on in perfect tranquillity. 

 I often took Kees with me when I went hunting ; and when he saw me 

 preparing for sport, he exhibited the most lively demonstrations of 

 joy. On the \\ay, lie would climb into the trees to look for gum, of 

 which he was very fond. Sometimes he discovered to me honey, 

 deposited in the clefts of rocks or hollow' trees. 



"Like all other animals, Kees was addicted to stealing. He 

 understood admirably well how to loose the strings of a basket, in 

 order to take victuals out of it, especially milk, of which he was very 

 fond. ]\Iy people chastised him for these thefts ; but that did not make 

 him amend his conduct. I myself sometimes whij)ped him, but then he 

 ran away, and did not return again to the tent until it grew dark. 

 Once, as I was about to dine, and had put the beans, which I had 

 1)oiled for myself, upon a plate, I heard the voice of a bird with which 

 I was not acquainted. I left my dinner standing, seized my gun, and 

 ran out of the tent. After the space of about a quarter of an hour I 

 returned, with the bird in my hand, and to my astonishment, T found 

 not a single bean upon the plate. Kees had stolen them all, and taken 

 himself out of the way. 



