THE SNAKE MUISHOND 
started up and scattered. My master hastily 
climbed up into the wagon and yelled at us to 
V oert-z-ik, which means to ‘clear out’ or go away. 
My chum and I had to eat our meals by ourselves 
for a week or more after that. In addition we 
had to sleep. out in the cold at night, because the 
Kafirs refused to let us creep in under the tar- 
paulin-covered wagon where they slept at night.” 
THE SNAKE MUISHOND 
(Pecilogale albinucha) 
Also known as the Slang Muishond or Snake Weasel 
Tuis muishond has the true shape of the typical 
weasel. It inhabits the eastern parts of South 
Africa, and extends from the Cape Province through 
Natal and north to Angola and Nyasaland. It 
forms burrows out in the bush-veld and hillsides. 
Its habits are, in general, similar to those of the 
Striped Muishond, but it is more secretive in 
disposition, and avoids the vicinity of man. It 
will track down animals as large as a hare, and once 
it obtains a grip on its victim it will not let go. A 
hunter related to me how he once saw a large bird 
of prey drop into the grass, and next instant 
soared away, gripping some creature, which seemed 
to be struggling desperately in its powerful talons. 
When high up in the air the bird seemed to be in 
difficulties. A fight, apparently, was taking place 
VOL. II 177 12 
