THE MONKEYFOLK OF SOUTH AFRICA 55 



hulking shoulders like those of a prize-fighter, and a 

 mane. When he learned that we had secretly visited the 

 farmer's garden, and that we had actually brought away 

 a lot of food from it, he gave a great roar of rage and sprang 

 at us. He seized me with one hand, and one of my friends 

 with another. Holding me down with his feet, which are 

 just like hands, he spanked my friend most unmercifully, 

 and bit him in several places. Of course, our chief if he 

 had liked, could have killed us with a couple of nips, but 

 the death penalty is only inflicted for rank rebellion against 

 his authority. When he desires to punish severely, he nips 

 with his teeth, but doesn't tear the skin. When he thought 

 my friend had got enough punishment, he let him go, and 

 then I got my share. When we had retreated to a safe 

 distance, our chief picked up one of the mealie cobs I had 

 dropped and smelt it. Then he ripped off some of the 

 cover, and hesitated for a second or two. Then he nibbled 

 a little. The taste of those sweet milky mealies was too 

 much for him. He ripped off the leaves, and munched the 

 entire mealie, cob and all, grunting all the time in an excess 

 of pleasure. He didn't stop until he had eaten up the lot, 

 which my friend and I had dropped when he grabbed us. 

 Thus did Adam fall. 



THE CONSEQUENCES 



Well, I am afraid our old Adam's conscience didn't prick 

 him at all, for early the next morning he posted a trusty 

 sentry, and led the way to the mealie gardens. We feasted 

 as before, and carried away as many cobs as we could. No 

 more sour berries and wild fruits for us, so long as we could 

 get such delicious food. It was indeed a land of promise 

 we had discovered. How we loved those farmerfolk for 

 providing us with such sumptuous food. We hoped they 

 wouldn't go away. 



