

BABOONS. n 



unexpectedly, for a pack of baboons had spied their 

 ;nemy the leopard while stealing through the rocks, 

 and were now following him at safe distance, giving 

 vent to their rage and hatred like a pack of wild 

 dogs after a koodoo. The beast the baboons were 

 hunting was, I knew, the animal I was pursuing ; 

 and the distance the sound of their voices was off 

 convinced me that the leopard must be at least two 

 hundred yards or more ahead. With all speed I 

 made for an elevated rock, from which I expected 

 to obtain a good view down the kloof. In this I 

 was not disappointed ; for, immediately in front of 

 me, ascending the opposite side of the ravine, was 

 the leopard, slowly and savagely making his way, 

 incessantly casting his eyes to the right and left, 

 with the hope of finding one of his pursuers within 

 springing distance. But no such luck was in store 

 for him. The baboons, when they see this, their 

 greatest enemy, do not often afford a chance of being 

 caught. 



" At length the leopard entered a cleft in the 

 rocks, which I knew to be his den, for the moment 

 he did so every member of the troop that had 

 pursued him hurried off for a safer locality. It is a 

 strange thing that these wise beasts always do so. 

 They must have some fancy, I think, that if their 

 foe is out of their sight, he is contemplating some 

 mischief against them that may be successful. 



" The damans (Boer for baboon) had served me 



