A HAPPY FAMILY. 49 



have been at least a great grandsire. This national cialamity did not fail to cause 

 incredible consternation, and there ensued many affecting domestic scenes, which 

 made us almost question the nature of the act we had committed. With pro- 

 digious whoops and howlings, off trooped the party in all directions — those of 

 the ' vrouws ' that happened to be mammas, snatching up their lovely babes, 

 fondly pressing them to their maternal bosoms with an impulse and action perfectly 

 human, and bearing them in their arms beyond the reach of danger." 



The Baboon is very bold and fights desperately when attacked. The old 

 males are very savage, and inflict terrible wounds with their long canine teeth, which 

 project considerably beyond the jaws, and have the inner edges sharp as a knife. 

 They strike these into any animal that provokes them, and grasping it with their arms 

 thrust it away from them, making a long, deep gash. Some of the long-armed apes 

 have been known to kill frequently in this way other monkeys which had offended 

 them and fallen into their power. But, like all wild creatures, these animals have 

 also their own dreaded foes, against whose wiles and stealthy approach even their 

 great cunning avails but little. The leopard is the one they hold most in fear, and he 

 often succeeds in snatching an individual from the midst of his companions. Great 

 is their consternation, and indescribable the commotion occasioned among them at 

 such an event. Rage and fear possess them at the same moment, and with the 

 desire for revenge at the loss of one of their number, is added the reluctance to 

 approach too near their sharp-clawed adversary, who exhibits the most supreme 

 indifference to their movements. Having gained a comparatively safe place of 

 retreat, they make all kinds of hideous grimaces at their feline admirer; howling 

 their anger, and making a liberal exhibition of their white teeth. At such times 

 some important individual strides up and down before the rest, conspicuous for 

 his exhibition of impotent rage, and occasionally seizes some of the smaller of his 

 brethren, and, by a few savage bites, that send them howling and disgusted away, 

 shows what he would gladly do to his dangerous enemy below him if he only 

 dared. They generally, however, live rather peaceable lives, varied with a few pre- 

 datory excursions into the inviting fields of the farmers, where having eaten all 

 they possibly can, they bear away as much more in their cheek-pouches and hands, 

 to be attended to afterwards at their leisure. This occupation, together with the 

 enforcement of the discipline necessary for the welfare of every well-ordered family, 

 occupies the time of the adults. 



