A WATCHFUL GOAT. 



201 



himself safe until he was on the top of his owner's 

 bed. The master of this animal told me that he 

 would not have taken ^100 for him, as he had never 

 made a trip into the interior in which Billy had 

 not saved him twice that amount of money by warning 

 him that his oxen and horses were in danger from 

 lions. 



I always provided myself with a pet goat, and 

 found it infinitely more watchful than dogs, its only 

 rival in this excellent quality being a baboon. Some- 

 how, however, my goats invariably came to grief, 

 sooner or later. I suppose this resulted from their 

 being too young when taken into the dangerous 

 country. They can, however, easily be replaced, 

 as nearly all the Bush people possess herds of them, 

 and a cup of trade gunpowder is generally considered 

 sufficient compensation for your selection of the best 

 of a flock. Thus much has been said about goats, as 

 I should advise every hunter to take one with him on 

 an excursion into the interior of this country ; for, 

 independent of their services as watchmen during the 

 night, their antics, quaint ways, and excessive selfish- 

 ness of character will help to while away the tedium of 

 many a monotonous hour. 



