FIGHT BETWEEN A MONKEY AND A TIGER-CAT. 79 



first the issue of the contest seemed doubtful; 

 for although the tiger-cat exceeded the monkey 

 in size and strength, the latter managed to keep 

 hold of his adversary's fore paws with his hind 

 feet, whilst his arms were clasped tightly round 

 its neck, and his ferocious-looking fangs were 

 buried in its throat. The rest of the troop 

 watched the contest with intense excitement 

 depicted in their countenances ; and, not con- 

 tented with encouraging their champion with the 

 most passionate vociferations, regardless of fair 

 play, every noAV and again one or two of their 

 number would drop from the branches overhead 

 and give the tiger-cat a sly bite, or attract his 

 attention by making threatening grimaces and 

 chattering within a few inches of his nose. One 

 monkey, swinging down from an overhanging 

 bamboo, instead of helping his companion, coolly 

 commenced searching for fleas in the roots of the 

 hair on the tiger-cat's hind-quarters, grunting and 

 chattering with intense satisfaction as he caught 

 his game, looked at it for a moment, and then ate 

 it with great gusto. Notwithstanding the aid 



