AFRICA, 139 
mon at the Cape, under the name of bawians. 
As it was extremely familiar, and attached itfelf 
to me in a particular manner, I made it my 
tafter. When we found any fruit or roots un- 
known to my Hottentots, we never touched 
them until my dear Kees had firft tafted them ; 
if it refufed them, we judged them to be 
either difagreeable or dangerous, and threw 
tliem away. 
An ape has one peculiarity which diftin- 
guifhes it from all other animals, and brings it 
very near to man. It has received from nature 
an equal lhare of greedinefs and curiofity : 
though deflitute of appetite, it taftes without 
neceflity every kind of food that is offered to 
it ; and always lays its paw upon every thing 
that it finds within its reach. 
There was another quality In Kees which I 
valued ftill more. He was my beft guardian ; 
and, whether by night or by day, he inftantly 
awoke on the leaft fign of danger. By his cries, 
and other expreffions of fear, we were always 
informed of the approach of an enemy before 
my dogs could difcover it : they were fo accuf- 
tomed to his voice, that they flept in perfed: 
Security, and never went the rounds \ on which 
4 account 
