NATIVES. 195 



On our way we passed several troops of baboons, 

 several of which took very little trouble to get 

 out of our way, some going so far as to let us 

 come within thirty or forty paces before they left 

 our intended course. The natives, even among the 

 mature men, I have noticed have a considerable fear 

 of these animals, although I believe that, unless 

 molested, they are perfectly harmless to human beings. 

 No greater insult can be offered a Kaffir than to 

 tell him that he resembled a baboon. However, such 

 a simile might not be pleasing to a white man. 



That evening we had in camp a grand show 

 of game and a big assortment of natives. It is 

 doubtful which afforded the greatest amount of 

 contemplation. If the study were intended to be 

 of an agreeable nature, then I should select the 

 former. 



When I resided among the North American 

 Indians, I had a great liking for gazing on a dusky, 

 taciturn, hulking Sioux brave, or a more sprightly and 

 active Blackfoot ; it also affords me much pleasure to 

 watch the Bechuanas at their ordinary avocations, 

 but I dislike to see any of these aborigines feed, for, 

 when gratifying their hunger, they show more selfish- 



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