174 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
these unwelcome intruders upon his repasts. He tried 
various modes to banish them, but they continued 
their periodical depredations. Finding that he was 
perfectly unheeded,, he adopted a plan of retribution as 
effectual as it was ingenious. 
One morning, when his tormentors had been parti- 
cularly troublesome; he appeared as if seriously indis- 
posed : he closed his eyes; drooped his head; and exhi- 
bited various other symptoms of severe suffering. No 
sooner were his ordinary rations placed at the foot of the 
bamboo; than the crows, watching their opportunity, 
descended in great numbers, and, according to their 
usual practice, began to demolish his provisions. The 
monkey now began to slide down the pole by slow 
degrees, as if the effort were painful to him, and as 
if so overcome by indisposition that his remaining 
strength was scarcely equal to such exertion. When he 
reached the ground, he rolled about for some time, 
seeming in great agony, until he found himself close 
by the vessel employed to contain his food, which 
the crows had by this time wellnigh devoured. There 
was still, however, some remaining, which a solitary 
bird, emboldened by the apparent indisposition of the 
monkey, advanced to seize. The wily creature was 
at this time lying in a state of apparent insensibility 
at the foot of the pole, and close by the pan. The 
moment the crow stretched out its head, and ere it 
could secure a mouthful of the interdicted food, the 
watchful avenger seized the depredator by the neck 
with the rapidity of thought, and secured it from doing 
further mischief. He now began to chatter and grin 
with every expression of gratified triumph, while the 
