IN AUSTRAL AFRICA. 3OI 



is a wise brute, not only in his own conceit, but in 

 the opinion of others, for there is none in my me- 

 nagerie that can catch him asleep or play tricks 

 upon him, except my pet monkey, to whom the reader 

 will be introduced in due time. Why, I may be asked, 

 do I keep Boanerges ? For the reason that he is one 

 of the most useful animals in my whole retinue. 

 But how ? In keeping guard at night he is far 

 more wakeful than any dog, while his sense of smell 

 and powers of sight are marvellous. Let any 

 strange animal approach the camp by day or night, 

 and it will at once be challenged by a " Who's 

 there ? " that will be heard in still atmosphere for 

 nearly a mile. This warning puts the dogs on the 

 qui vive, when, whether the intruder does or does 

 not steer off, his " little game " is checkmated for that 

 occasion. Neither is my baboon destitute of courage, 

 for I have known him attack a hyaena, mobbed by 

 the dogs, with such ferocity and science as were most 

 effective. But his method of assault differed entirely 

 from that of his allies, for, watching the harassed 

 antagonist that was standing at bay, he availed him- 

 self of a chance, and seized it by one of the hind 

 legs, which he drew from under it, and completely 

 disabled by ham-stringing, at a single bite. Again, 

 if fresh vegetables are wanted, which is not a rare 

 occurrence, Mr. Boanerges is turned loose, and it is 

 seldom long before he discovers a large tuber, not un- 

 like a turnip, which is generally a foot or more under 



