THE MONKEYFOLK OF SOUTH AFRICA 85 



upon us. He sent a crafty old Hottentot out scouting, 

 and that old sinner, who was as intelligent as even our 

 leaders, traced us to our homes in a bush-covered krantz, 

 where there were a number of small caves and other rock 

 shelters. These shelters were so well hidden with bush, 

 and the surroundings so rocky and overgrown with scrub, 

 that we had fondly thought our retreat would never be 

 found. We always took great precautions when approaching 

 it. We never went straight home. We pretended to go 

 in a different direction, and would disappear amongst the 

 foliage, and then turn several times, travelling some distance 

 in one direction, then swerving off at an angle. That old 

 Hottettot had inherited such a lot of his monkey ancestors' 

 nature-craft that he wasn't to be deceived. 



OUR HOME ATTACKED 



One morning we came forth as usual after a sound sleep, 

 and clambered higher up the rocks where the sun shone 

 when it rose over the distant hills. We always sat up there, 

 basking in the sun until the dew had vanished from the 

 leaves and grass, when we would troop off and get breakfast. 

 We are not so fortunate as you humanfolk, who simply 

 get out of bed and walk into another room where there is 

 everything you require already prepared for you. We 

 baboonfolk have got to find our breakfast every morning. 

 Sometimes we have to go many miles for it, and work hard, 

 digging in the sun-baked ground, or climbing trees and 

 picking off tiny berries one by one. We grown-up folk 

 were gossiping together, and the children were romping 

 and playing tricks upon each other, when the sentry's cry 

 of alarm rang out. Instantly we started up and glanced 

 at our leader, whom we always followed. Before we could 

 move, the cracks of many rifles rang out and re-echoed 

 amongst the kloofs. Five of our folk fell mortally wounded. 



