NATTRE A WONDERFUL TEACHER. ir 3 



Poor old Jumbo ! he was a useful beast after his 

 way. He did his best to keep the horses and 

 .bullocks free from ticks. However, this penchant 

 was not actuated by unselfish motives, for he de- 

 voured with great gusto all the repulsive parasites he 

 plucked off them. At night he was far more 

 jwatchful than the best dog I had, and neither man 

 'nor beast could approach the camp without his 

 |:hallenging them with his deep booming bark. His 

 ;>eat on those occasions was the top of the waggon 

 tilt, which he never left from sunset to sunrise, 

 except when on the line of march. William and the 

 Dthers said he slept with one eye open ; if so, that 

 :>ne eye was worth half a dozen of ordinary persons. 



It was unnecessary to tie Mr. Baboon up, as far 

 is his security was concerned ; but the difficulty was 

 .hat during daylight it took half the camp to look 

 ifter him and keep him out of mischief. During 

 ;:he night, if he heard any of the members of his own 

 'ace barking, he would answer them in a most 

 mphatic, wild, angry voice ; but if, during the day, 

 lie should see any of them, even when far off, it 

 vould almost drive him frantic with fear. This I 

 lever could account for, unless he knew that if they 

 ;ot hold of him they would treat him as a deserter 

 ; nd sacrifice him for that crime to their wrath ; but 

 '.ow, again, could he know this, as he was captured 

 /hen quite a baby ? Truly Nature is a wonderful 

 jsacher ! 



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