112 THE MONKEYFOLK OF SOUTH AFRICA 



of weary travelling over rough country, for we were careful 

 to keep as much as possible to the rocky hills, because there 

 were farmerfolk living in those parts. 



A BANQUET AND THE RESULT 



We had to wait for a couple of hours until the tide had 

 fallen. Then our chief gave the signal, and we all rushed 

 off and spread ourselves out over the rocks, and eagerly 

 searched for the mussels. We hadn't to hunt much for 

 them because they were in such numbers. I have never 

 before seen such swarms of them. We tore them off the 

 rocks, and either smashed the shells by banging them on 

 to a rock, or else we broke them open with our teeth — at 

 least the other baboonfolk of the clan did. I was doing 

 sentry-go and dared not leave my post, although it was 

 almost more than I could endure to see the others feasting 

 on the kind of food I was fondest of. I was frightfully 

 hungry too, not having tasted food since the previous 

 afternoon. However, I knew the others were relying upon 

 me to prevent them being surprised by enemies, and even 

 if I had been actually starving I should not have forsaken 

 my post. We baboonfolk have codes of honour, and many 

 unwritten laws, as well as you humanfolk. 



After the feast had been going on for a couple of hours, 

 I noticed some of the folk lying about lazily upon the sand 

 in the sun. I thought nothing of it, as it was a usual thing 

 to do after a feast. Presently, however, one of the children 

 began to scream out and complain of dreadful pains in 

 his inside. His mother did all she could to relieve him 

 by thoroughly massaging his body, but he seemed to get 

 worse. Then others began to complain, and within an 

 hour about two-thirds of the clan were either lying about 

 in a dazed sort of state, or else rolling, screaming, and 

 chattering in agony. 



