io6 THE MONKEYFOLK OF SOUTH AFRICA 



distant place, all the details are arranged previously. When 

 the occasion for action comes, the chiefs give their orders, 

 which none think of disobeying. 



We never dream of moving about anywhere, or even 

 retiring to rest without posting one or more sentries as the 

 occasion seems to demand. The sentry duties are taken 

 by different reliable individuals of the clan, in turn. We 

 never choose any whom we don't think thoroughly com- 

 petent to do the sentry work, because it is such an important 

 duty, which, if not performed properly, might mean death 

 to many of the clan. 



We always share the spoil with the sentry after a raid on 

 a farmer's mealie garden or orchard. 



BABOONS IN CAPTIVITY 



I am one of the baboonfolk. I have been in captivity 

 for many years. One day a big swell of a fellow in a military 

 cavalryman's full-dress uniform came to see my master. 

 He fixed me with his eyeglass, and then began to make all 

 kinds of nasty remarks about me. He jeered at me, and 

 imitated me when I raised and lowered my brows at him. 

 This made me very angry. I climbed up my pole and sat 

 on the ledge of my hut, and had a good think. Looking 

 down, the sight of a puddle of slimy water gave me an idea. 

 Climbing down I sat meekly with my arms crossed and a 

 contented look on my face. The officer man was standing 

 near by talking with my master. Suddenly I sprang up 

 and rolled my body in the slimy mud, and before the 

 astonished officer could realise what I was up to, I sprang 

 out the full length of my chain in his direction and shook 

 my body violently, bespattering him from head to foot with 

 evil-smelling mud. Then I chuckled and climbed up my 

 pole and hid in my hut. My master declared to the 

 officer that he would severely punish me, but he never 



