30 KEES AND THE BUAXDY. 



"This was a night of revels. Kees, my favourite 

 monkey, was seated by my side a place he never 

 failed to avail himself of in the evening. Indeed, 

 I had spoiled him, never eating or drinking any- 

 thing but he came in for his share; and if I 

 seemed inclined to forget him, he ever took care 

 to remind me, either by munching or giving me a 

 touch with his paw. He was equally fond of milk 

 and brandy ; the latter I always gave him on a 

 plate, as I had remarked that, in drinking out of a 

 glass, his greediness and precipitation made him 

 draw as much up his nostrils as he took in at his 

 mouth, which occasioned him to cough and sneeze 

 for hours. 



" Kees, as I have already said, was seated by my 

 side, the plate before him ready for his share, while 

 his eyes impatiently followed the brandy bottle, 

 which the Hottentots served. With what eager- 

 ness did he wait his turn ! Alas, the unfortunate 

 rogue that licked his lips in advance did not know 

 that he was going to taste that bewitching liquor 

 for the last time ; not that I lost my friend Kees, 

 though in future I saved his portion of the brandy. 

 I had packed up my despatches, and was putting on 

 the last cover at the moment the bottle had finished 

 its round, and reached my monkey. I determined 

 for once to cheat him ; but without any other in- 

 tention than to amuse myself with his surprise. 



