50 THE MONKEY'S STORY. 



all have beautiful long tails. Chippy and I lived , in a cocoanut- 

 tree. We were very happy. We did nothing but play, and eat, 

 and sleep. We chattered all the time in a very loving manner, 

 and never quarrelled. I was always kind to Chippy, and she never 

 scratched and bit. That was what made our home so happy. We 

 were both good monkeys, and father and mother loved us. 



Such fine times as we did have! Awake bright and early, we 

 washed our faces, and took a drink of cocoanut-milk. It was very 

 nice. Then we hunted for birds'-eggs for breakfast, or perhaps 

 caught some tender beetles or dragon-flies. After that we spent our 

 days in playing hide-and-seek among the branches of the trees, or 

 teased the lazy crocodiles, basking in the sun by the river-side. 

 But we never strayed far from home, for oar parents had warned us 

 not to do so, for fear of cruel men. One day, when father and mother 

 had gone out to walk, we heard strange sounds near us. Stealing 

 to an open space, Chippy and I saw a company of men gazing up at 

 us. We started to run away, but it was too late. I felt something 

 around my neck like a snake. I soon found that one of the men 

 had thrown a rope over me, and I was captured. 



What became of Chippy I do not know. I have never seen her 

 since. I can just remember being placed in a dark box, in which I 

 was kept prisoner for many long days and nights. When I was set 

 at liberty I was upon a ship, with water all around me. I was sold 

 to ray present master, and by him, after many beatings, I was taught 

 the little tricks which please the boys and girls. They seem very 

 silly to me now. 



During the long, hot summer days we tramp over dusty roads, and 

 play the same tiresome tunes and perform the same tricks. Some- 

 times we have a good day, and then I get a crust of bread or a bun 

 for supper. Often the days are bad, and I go to bed hungry and 

 dream of the happy days in the cocoanut-grove by the Amazon. 



