110 THE WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



venting a surprise. They break the fruit in pieces, and cram it into their cheek pouches, in order 

 afterwards to eat it at leisure. The sentinel, if he sees a man, gives a loud yell, and the whole troop 

 retreat with the utmost expedition, and in a most diverting manner, the young ones jumping on and 

 clinging to the backs of their parents. 



In confinement these baboons may be rendered docile, yet they always retain the disposition to re- 

 venge an injury. At the Cape they are often caught when young and brought up with milk ; and 

 Kclben informs us that they will become as watchful over their master's property as the most valuable 

 house-dog in Europe. Many of the Hottentots believe they can speak, but that they avoid doing so 

 lest they should be enslaved and compelled to work. Though not naturally carnivorous, they will eat 

 either meat or fish that is cooked. They are generally kept chained to a pole, and their agility in 

 climbing, leaping, and dodging any one that offers to strike them, is almost incredible. The same 

 traveller reports, that, although one of the animals was then tied up, it was impossible, at the distance 

 of a few yards, to hit him with a stone ; he would either catch it like a ball in his paw, or he would 

 avoid its blow with the most astonishing agility. 



The animal now in the Tower is a most complete adept in thieving, and during the voyage, he was 

 allowed to run at large about the ship, but scarcely a day elapsed without Jacko exhibiting some 

 specimen of his skill in thieving. The cook's department was his most favourite place of resort, and 

 he succeeded one day in purloining two fowls, which were just ready for the spit. Suspicion attached 

 to the whole crew, and a most rigorous search was instituted, but for some time without effect, until 

 it was at last discovered that Jacko had concealed his ill-gotten treasure in the rigging. Not content, 

 however, with being simply the thief, he began to tear the fowls into pieces, and, seated on one of the 

 yard-arms, to pelt the crew below with the pieces. A general chase was now set on foot to catch the 

 thief, but his agility was so great that his pursuers found it necessary, at last, to leave Jacko to the 

 enjovment of his liberty. 



During his present confinement in the Tower, he has once succeeded in extracting a gentleman's 

 watch from his pocket, but Jacko could not understand the use of it — the tick-tick appeared completely 

 to puzzle him — he dropped the watch — picked it up again, put it to his nose, smelt it ; but still the 

 tick-tick seemed to confound him— at last he put it to his ear, and appeared highly delighted with the 

 sound. The watch was restored to the owner with no other damage than the breakage of the glass. 



The late Dr. Darwin had a baboon of this kind, who by his mischievous propensities was a con- 

 tinual source of annoyance to the whole household. It was the custom of the Doctor to have the Mat- 

 lock water brought to his house in a large hogshead, and the animal used to watch the arrival of the 

 hogshead with an anxiety as great as a bon-vivant would the arrival of a pipe of port — but the hogshead 

 was not long stationed in the yard, when the animal would draw out the spigot, and jump about with 

 joy to see the water running out. The following, however, may be adduced as a proof of how far 

 the reason of these animals extends. The Doctor had one day a fine haunch of venison at the fire, 

 when the monkey mounted to the top of the house, and collecting a heap of stones and brickbats, 

 threw them down the chimney, completely destroying the joint at the fire. The Doctor, being apprised 

 of this new specimen of his monkey's mischief, was so enraged, that he determined to shoot him, and 

 taking his gun, proceeded to the yard from which he could obtain a good aim at the delinquent, but 

 the monkey no sooner saw the gun, than he stripped off one of the tiles, and holding it before him 

 completely protected himself from the shot. If the Doctor moved — the monkey moved his tile also — 

 squinting every now and then from behind it, to see the situation of his enemy. The Doctor at last 

 laid down his gun, exclaiming — " What could the reason of man do more? " 



