In Wildest Africa -^ 



young lion 1 add to it, to-morrow a hyena, a jackal, a 

 monkey, a marabou, geese, and other velt-dvvellers, all of 

 which I instal as members of my little community and try 

 to become friends with. My efforts have sometimes been 

 amply rewarded. Once during the early morning hours we 

 discovered a large troop of baboons. It was cool : the 



THE ANT-HILLS ARE SO STRONGLY BUILT AND SO HARD THAT THEY OFFER 

 AN EXTRAORDINARILY STRONG RESISTANCE TO ALL EFFORTS TO DESTROY 

 THEM BY PICK AND SHOVEL. 



cold, damp morning mist grew Into a drizzling rain ; the 

 animals huddled up closely together for the sake of warmth. 

 Later they came down to seek their food. Cautiously we 

 posted ourselves as if we had not noticed the monkeys. 

 But remembering their long sight, I organised a battue, 

 which succeeded admirably and secured me several young 

 ones. At first the comical creatures obstinately withstood 



590 



