60 BEASTS AND MEN 
animals would often keep away the young until they had 
devoured it. 
When, by these treacherous means, thorough confidence 
had been established with the baboons, the time came for set- 
ting the traps, which were to make them still more our guests, 
and eventually also emigrants. The trap is a fairly simple 
contrivance. The base is circular, about two and a half yards 
in diameter, and is composed of tough rods twisted together. 
Round the outer edge of this base, at intervals of about a 
foot, are fixed stout stakes, leaning inwards so as to meet 
together at the top. The framework thus constructed is inter- 
laced with branches of trees, tied together with cord; and 
the whole structure then makes a solid cage, of considerable 
weight, and somewhat resembling a native’s hut in appear- 
ance. When it has been completed it has to be conveyed to 
its proper situation in the neighbourhood of the drinking-pool. 
Here one side of it is left open, being propped up with a strong 
stick, and the baboons are gradually inveigled into it by 
leaving doura inside. When they have become thoroughly 
accustomed to the trap, the final stage in the proceedings 
commences. In the darkness of night a long cord is at- 
tached to the pole which holds the trap open. It is 
carried along, buried loosely in the sand, until the other end 
reaches a hiding-place, whence a good view of the cage can 
be obtained. Then comes the tragedy. A blazing noonday 
sun drives the thirsty baboons chattering down to their drink- 
ing-hole. Some of the biggest males, who have already 
secured a monopoly of the doura, enter the trap, and com- 
mence their feast. The hunter awaits his opportunity: it 
soon comes ; a tug on the cord, the trap closes with a bang, 
and three great baboons are fairly caught. 
Then there follows a scene, both comical and painful, 
which baffles description. For a moment the astounded 
prisoners sit benumbed with terror and unable to move; then 
they anxiously begin to seek an exit. The herd outside, no 
less surprised, flee at the first alarm; but they soon return 
