64 THE BABOON. 



For example, there is a well-authenticated tale of a tame baboon which used to perform 

 all kinds of clever tricks, some for the pecuniary benefit of its master, and others for its own 

 individual pleasure. 



The animal must have been of great service to its owner, for it cost him nothing in food, 

 being accustomed to steal its own daily supply. On one occasion this capability was put to 

 the test ; a date-seller being the unf ortunate subject upon whom the talents of the baboon were 

 tried. The performance began by a simulated fit on the part of the animal, which fell down 

 apparently in great pain, and grovelled on the earth in a paroxysm of contortions, its eyes 

 steadily fixed on those of the date-seller. 



Apparently motiveless as this conduct might be, it was the result of much care, for every 

 writhing twist of the body brought the creature nearer to the basket which contained the 

 coveted dainties. When it had arrived within reach, it fixed the date-seller's attention by 

 strange grimaces, and, with its hind feet, commenced emptying the basket. 



The most absurd part of the story is, that its "wicked conscience smited it" for the theft, 

 and that it perfectly understood the unjustifiable character of the deed which it had just 

 accomplished ; for, as it was retreating, after having secured its plunder, a mischievous boy 

 gave the animal a sly tug of the tail. The baboon, fancying that the insult had come from the 

 date-seller, in reprisal for the abstraction of his goods, turned round, flew at the man, and, if 

 it had not been captured by its master, would probably have done him some material injury. 



A very quaint story is told of the same animal, which, if true, exhibits the strangest com- 

 bination of cunning, simplicity, and ready wit, that ever entered the brain of living creature. 

 At all events, if it be not true, it deserves to be so. 



It appears that the baboon was so tame, and had proved so apt a pupil, that its master 

 had taiight it to watch the pot in which he prepared his dinner, and was accustomed to leave 

 it in charge of the culinary department while he was engaged in other business. One day, he 

 had prepared a fowl for his dinner, and, after putting it into the pot, and the pot on the fire, 

 went away for a time, leaving the baboon in charge, as usual. 



For a time all went well, and the animal kept a quiet watch over the fire. After a while, 

 it was seized with a desire to see what might be in the pot, and so, taking off the lid, peeped 

 in. The odor that issued from the boiled fowl was gratifying to the animal' s nostrils, and 

 induced it, after a brief mental struggle, to pick just a little bit from the fowl, and to put the 

 bird back again. This was done accordingly, but the experiment was so very successful that 

 it was speedily repeated. Again and again was a morsel pinched from the fowl, until .the 

 natural consummation followed — the fowl was picked quite clean, and nothing left but the 

 bones. 



Now came remorse and sudden fear, causing the wretched animal to chatter with terror at 

 the thought of the scarifying which was sure to follow so grievous an offence. 



What was the poor thing to do 1 Time was passing, and the master must soon return for 

 his dinner. At last a brilliant thought flashed through the animal' s brain, and it immediately 

 acted upon the idea. 



Now, in order to understand the. depth of the craft which was employed, it must be 

 remembered that the baboons are furnished, in common with very many monkeys, with two 

 callosities on the hinder quarters, which serve them for seats, and which are, in these animals, 

 of a bright red color. 



Rolling itself over and over in the dust, it covered its body with an uniformly sombre 

 coating, and then, gathering itself well together, and putting its head and knees on the ground, 

 it presented an appearance marvellously resembling a rough block of stone with two pieces of 

 raw meat laid on its top. In those climates the birds of prey absolutely swarm, and, being 

 encouraged by their well-earned impunity, crowd round every place where cooking is going 

 on, and where they may have a chance of securing a portion, either by lawful gift, or lawless 

 rapine. Several of these birds, among which were some kites, being attracted by the scent of 

 the boiling meat, came to the spot, and seeing, as they thought, some nice raw meat tempt- 

 ingly laid out for them, swept upon their fancied prize. 



In a moment the baboon had sprung to its feet, and, with a rapid clutch, seized one of 



