III.

[Contents]III.BABOON FABLES.Heretse!Heretse!Thou thin-armed one,Who hast thin hands!Thou smooth bulrush mat,Thou whose neck is bent.Thou who art made so as to be lifted up (upon a tree),Who liftest thyself up.Thou who wilt not die even behindthathillWhich is yet beyond those hills,That lie on the other side of this far-distant hill.1[Contents]17. THE JUDGMENT OF THE BABOON.(The original, in the Hottentot language, of this little Namaqualand Fable, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 33, 35.)One day, it is said, the following story happened. The Mouse had torn the clothes of Itkler (the tailor),[66]who then went to the Baboon, and accused the Mouse with these words:—“In this manner I come to thee:—The Mouse has torn my clothes, but will not know anything of it, and accuses the Cat; the Cat protests likewise her innocence, and says the Dog must have done it; but the Dog denies it also, and declares the Wood has done it; and the Wood throws the blame on the Fire, and says, ‘The Fire did it;’ the Fire says, ‘Ihave not, the Water did it;’ the Water says, ‘The Elephant tore the clothes;’ and the Elephant says, ‘The Ant tore them.’ Thus a dispute has arisen among them. Therefore I, Itkler, come to thee with this proposition: Assemble the people and try them, in order that I may get satisfaction.”Thus he spake, and the Baboon assembled them for trial. Then they made the same excuses which had been mentioned by Itkler, each one putting the blame upon the other.So the Baboon did not see any other way of punishing them, save through making them punish each other; he therefore said—“Mouse, give Itkler satisfaction.”The Mouse, however, pleaded not guilty. But the Baboon said, “Cat, bite the Mouse.” She did so.He then put the same question to the Cat, and when[67]she exculpated herself, the Baboon called to the Dog, “Here, bite the Cat.”In this manner the Baboon questioned them all, one after the other, but they each denied the charge. Then he addressed the following words to them, and said—“Wood, beat the Dog.Fire, burn the Wood.Water, quench the Fire.Elephant, drink the Water.“Ant, bite the Elephant in his most tender parts.”They did so, and since that day they cannot any longer agree with each other.The Ant enters into the Elephant’s most tender parts, and bites him.The Elephant swallows the Water.The Water quenches the Fire.The Fire consumes the Wood.The Wood beats the Dog.The Dog bites the Cat.And the Cat the Mouse.Through this judgment Itkler got satisfaction, and addressed the Baboon in the following manner:— “Yes! Now I am content, since I have received satisfaction, and with all my heart I thank thee, Baboon, because thou hast exercised justice on my behalf, and given me redress.”[68]Then the Baboon said, “From to-day I will not any longer be called Jan, but Baboon shall be my name.”Since that time the Baboon walks on all fours, having probably lost the privilege of walking erect through this foolish judgment.(?)[69][Contents]18. THE LION AND THE BABOON.(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 14, 15.)THE BABOON.Thou hollow-cheeked sonOf a hollow-cheeked one,My hollow-cheeked one!Who hast two hip-bones,High hip-bones,With which thou sittest on the edge of the rock,Thou whose face appears like the edge of a rock.The Baboon, it is said, once worked bamboos, sitting on the edge of a precipice, and the Lion stole upon him. The Baboon, however, had fixed some round, glistening, eye-like plates on the back of his head. When, therefore, the Lion crept upon him, he thought, when the Baboon was looking at him, that he sat with his back towards him, and crept with all his might upon him. When, however, the Baboon turned his back towards him, the Lion thought that he was seen, and hid himself. Thus, when the[70]Baboon looked at him, he crept upon him. Whilst the Baboon did this, the Lion came close upon him. When he was near him the Baboon looked up, and the Lion continued to creep upon him. The Baboon said (aside), “Whilst I am looking at him he steals upon me, whilst my hollow eyes are on him.”When at last the Lion sprung at him, he lay (quickly) down upon his face, and the Lion jumped over him, falling down the precipice, and was dashed to pieces.[71][Contents]19. THE ZEBRA STALLION.(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, p. 17.)THE ZEBRA.Thou who art thrown at by the great (shepherd) boys,Thou whose head the (kirrie’s) throw misses!Thou dappled fly,Thou party-coloured one,Who spiest for those,That spy for thee!Thou who, womanlike,Art full of jealousy.The Baboons, it is said, used to disturb the Zebra Mares in drinking. But one of the Mares became the mother of a foal. The others then helped her to suckle (the young stallion), that he might soon grow up.When he was grown up, and they were in want of water, they brought him to the water. The Baboons,[72]seeing this, came, as they formerly were used to do, into their way, and kept them from the water.While the Mares stood thus, the Stallion stepped forward, and spoke to one of the Baboons, “Thou gum-eater’s child!”The Baboon said to the Stallion, “Please open thy mouth, that I may see what thou livest on.” The Stallion opened his mouth, and it was milky.Then the Stallion said to the Baboon, “Please open thy mouth also, that I may see.” The Baboon did so, and there was some gum in it. But the Baboon quickly licked some milk off the Stallion’s tongue. The Stallion on this became angry, took the Baboon by his shoulders, and pressed him upon a hot, flat rock. Since that day the Baboon has a bald place on his back.The Baboon said, lamenting, “I, my mother’s child, I, the gum-eater, am outdone by this milk-eater!”THE ZEBRA.Thouǁarishrub (i.e., tough shrub, Dutch, “critdorn”),Thou who art of strong smell,Thou who rollest always in soft ground,Whose body retains the dust,[73]Thou split kirrie of the shepherd boys,Thou split knob of a kirrie.Thou who drivest away by thy neighingThe hunter who seeketh thee.Thou who crossest all riversAs if they were but one.[74][Contents]20. THE LOST CHILD.—[A Tale.](From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. ii. pp. 234, 235.)The children belonging to a kraal were playing at some little distance from the huts with bows and arrows; in the evening they all returned home, save one, a boy of five or six years old, who lingered behind, and was soon surrounded by a troop of baboons, who carried him up a mountain.The people turned out to recover the boy, and for days they hunted after him in vain; he was nowhere to be seen; the baboons also had left the neighbourhood.A year after this had occurred, a mounted hunter came to the kraal from a distance, and told the people that he had crossed at such a place the spoor of baboons, along with the footmarks of a child. The people went to the place which the hunter had indicated, and they soon saw what they were in search of, viz., the boy, sitting on a pinnacle of rock, in company with a large baboon. The moment the people[75]approached, the baboon took up the boy, and scampered off with him; but, after a close pursuit, the boy was recovered. He seemed quite wild, and tried to run away to the baboons again; however, he was brought back to the kraal, and when he recovered his speech, he said that the baboons had been very kind to him; that they ate scorpions and spiders themselves, but brought him roots, gum, and wild raisins, seeing that he did not touch the two first-named delicacies, and that they always allowed him to drink first at the waters.[76][Contents]21. THE BABOON SHEPHERD.—[A Tale.](From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. ii. pp. 229, 230.)The Namaquas say that, not long ago, a man had brought up a young Baboon, and had made it his shepherd. It remained by the flock all day in the field, and at night drove them home to the kraal, riding on the back of one of the goats, which brought up the rear. The Baboon had the milk of one goat allowed to it, and it sucked that one only, and guarded the milk of the others from the children. It also got a little meat from its master. It held the office of shepherd for twelve moons, and then was unfortunately killed in a tree by a Leopard.[77]1With reference to the Baboon’s great power of distancing his pursuers.↑

III.BABOON FABLES.Heretse!Heretse!Thou thin-armed one,Who hast thin hands!Thou smooth bulrush mat,Thou whose neck is bent.Thou who art made so as to be lifted up (upon a tree),Who liftest thyself up.Thou who wilt not die even behindthathillWhich is yet beyond those hills,That lie on the other side of this far-distant hill.1

Heretse!Heretse!Thou thin-armed one,Who hast thin hands!Thou smooth bulrush mat,Thou whose neck is bent.Thou who art made so as to be lifted up (upon a tree),Who liftest thyself up.Thou who wilt not die even behindthathillWhich is yet beyond those hills,That lie on the other side of this far-distant hill.1

Heretse!

Thou thin-armed one,

Who hast thin hands!

Thou smooth bulrush mat,

Thou whose neck is bent.

Thou who art made so as to be lifted up (upon a tree),

Who liftest thyself up.

Thou who wilt not die even behindthathill

Which is yet beyond those hills,

That lie on the other side of this far-distant hill.1

[Contents]17. THE JUDGMENT OF THE BABOON.(The original, in the Hottentot language, of this little Namaqualand Fable, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 33, 35.)One day, it is said, the following story happened. The Mouse had torn the clothes of Itkler (the tailor),[66]who then went to the Baboon, and accused the Mouse with these words:—“In this manner I come to thee:—The Mouse has torn my clothes, but will not know anything of it, and accuses the Cat; the Cat protests likewise her innocence, and says the Dog must have done it; but the Dog denies it also, and declares the Wood has done it; and the Wood throws the blame on the Fire, and says, ‘The Fire did it;’ the Fire says, ‘Ihave not, the Water did it;’ the Water says, ‘The Elephant tore the clothes;’ and the Elephant says, ‘The Ant tore them.’ Thus a dispute has arisen among them. Therefore I, Itkler, come to thee with this proposition: Assemble the people and try them, in order that I may get satisfaction.”Thus he spake, and the Baboon assembled them for trial. Then they made the same excuses which had been mentioned by Itkler, each one putting the blame upon the other.So the Baboon did not see any other way of punishing them, save through making them punish each other; he therefore said—“Mouse, give Itkler satisfaction.”The Mouse, however, pleaded not guilty. But the Baboon said, “Cat, bite the Mouse.” She did so.He then put the same question to the Cat, and when[67]she exculpated herself, the Baboon called to the Dog, “Here, bite the Cat.”In this manner the Baboon questioned them all, one after the other, but they each denied the charge. Then he addressed the following words to them, and said—“Wood, beat the Dog.Fire, burn the Wood.Water, quench the Fire.Elephant, drink the Water.“Ant, bite the Elephant in his most tender parts.”They did so, and since that day they cannot any longer agree with each other.The Ant enters into the Elephant’s most tender parts, and bites him.The Elephant swallows the Water.The Water quenches the Fire.The Fire consumes the Wood.The Wood beats the Dog.The Dog bites the Cat.And the Cat the Mouse.Through this judgment Itkler got satisfaction, and addressed the Baboon in the following manner:— “Yes! Now I am content, since I have received satisfaction, and with all my heart I thank thee, Baboon, because thou hast exercised justice on my behalf, and given me redress.”[68]Then the Baboon said, “From to-day I will not any longer be called Jan, but Baboon shall be my name.”Since that time the Baboon walks on all fours, having probably lost the privilege of walking erect through this foolish judgment.(?)[69][Contents]18. THE LION AND THE BABOON.(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 14, 15.)THE BABOON.Thou hollow-cheeked sonOf a hollow-cheeked one,My hollow-cheeked one!Who hast two hip-bones,High hip-bones,With which thou sittest on the edge of the rock,Thou whose face appears like the edge of a rock.The Baboon, it is said, once worked bamboos, sitting on the edge of a precipice, and the Lion stole upon him. The Baboon, however, had fixed some round, glistening, eye-like plates on the back of his head. When, therefore, the Lion crept upon him, he thought, when the Baboon was looking at him, that he sat with his back towards him, and crept with all his might upon him. When, however, the Baboon turned his back towards him, the Lion thought that he was seen, and hid himself. Thus, when the[70]Baboon looked at him, he crept upon him. Whilst the Baboon did this, the Lion came close upon him. When he was near him the Baboon looked up, and the Lion continued to creep upon him. The Baboon said (aside), “Whilst I am looking at him he steals upon me, whilst my hollow eyes are on him.”When at last the Lion sprung at him, he lay (quickly) down upon his face, and the Lion jumped over him, falling down the precipice, and was dashed to pieces.[71][Contents]19. THE ZEBRA STALLION.(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, p. 17.)THE ZEBRA.Thou who art thrown at by the great (shepherd) boys,Thou whose head the (kirrie’s) throw misses!Thou dappled fly,Thou party-coloured one,Who spiest for those,That spy for thee!Thou who, womanlike,Art full of jealousy.The Baboons, it is said, used to disturb the Zebra Mares in drinking. But one of the Mares became the mother of a foal. The others then helped her to suckle (the young stallion), that he might soon grow up.When he was grown up, and they were in want of water, they brought him to the water. The Baboons,[72]seeing this, came, as they formerly were used to do, into their way, and kept them from the water.While the Mares stood thus, the Stallion stepped forward, and spoke to one of the Baboons, “Thou gum-eater’s child!”The Baboon said to the Stallion, “Please open thy mouth, that I may see what thou livest on.” The Stallion opened his mouth, and it was milky.Then the Stallion said to the Baboon, “Please open thy mouth also, that I may see.” The Baboon did so, and there was some gum in it. But the Baboon quickly licked some milk off the Stallion’s tongue. The Stallion on this became angry, took the Baboon by his shoulders, and pressed him upon a hot, flat rock. Since that day the Baboon has a bald place on his back.The Baboon said, lamenting, “I, my mother’s child, I, the gum-eater, am outdone by this milk-eater!”THE ZEBRA.Thouǁarishrub (i.e., tough shrub, Dutch, “critdorn”),Thou who art of strong smell,Thou who rollest always in soft ground,Whose body retains the dust,[73]Thou split kirrie of the shepherd boys,Thou split knob of a kirrie.Thou who drivest away by thy neighingThe hunter who seeketh thee.Thou who crossest all riversAs if they were but one.[74][Contents]20. THE LOST CHILD.—[A Tale.](From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. ii. pp. 234, 235.)The children belonging to a kraal were playing at some little distance from the huts with bows and arrows; in the evening they all returned home, save one, a boy of five or six years old, who lingered behind, and was soon surrounded by a troop of baboons, who carried him up a mountain.The people turned out to recover the boy, and for days they hunted after him in vain; he was nowhere to be seen; the baboons also had left the neighbourhood.A year after this had occurred, a mounted hunter came to the kraal from a distance, and told the people that he had crossed at such a place the spoor of baboons, along with the footmarks of a child. The people went to the place which the hunter had indicated, and they soon saw what they were in search of, viz., the boy, sitting on a pinnacle of rock, in company with a large baboon. The moment the people[75]approached, the baboon took up the boy, and scampered off with him; but, after a close pursuit, the boy was recovered. He seemed quite wild, and tried to run away to the baboons again; however, he was brought back to the kraal, and when he recovered his speech, he said that the baboons had been very kind to him; that they ate scorpions and spiders themselves, but brought him roots, gum, and wild raisins, seeing that he did not touch the two first-named delicacies, and that they always allowed him to drink first at the waters.[76][Contents]21. THE BABOON SHEPHERD.—[A Tale.](From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. ii. pp. 229, 230.)The Namaquas say that, not long ago, a man had brought up a young Baboon, and had made it his shepherd. It remained by the flock all day in the field, and at night drove them home to the kraal, riding on the back of one of the goats, which brought up the rear. The Baboon had the milk of one goat allowed to it, and it sucked that one only, and guarded the milk of the others from the children. It also got a little meat from its master. It held the office of shepherd for twelve moons, and then was unfortunately killed in a tree by a Leopard.[77]

17. THE JUDGMENT OF THE BABOON.

(The original, in the Hottentot language, of this little Namaqualand Fable, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 33, 35.)One day, it is said, the following story happened. The Mouse had torn the clothes of Itkler (the tailor),[66]who then went to the Baboon, and accused the Mouse with these words:—“In this manner I come to thee:—The Mouse has torn my clothes, but will not know anything of it, and accuses the Cat; the Cat protests likewise her innocence, and says the Dog must have done it; but the Dog denies it also, and declares the Wood has done it; and the Wood throws the blame on the Fire, and says, ‘The Fire did it;’ the Fire says, ‘Ihave not, the Water did it;’ the Water says, ‘The Elephant tore the clothes;’ and the Elephant says, ‘The Ant tore them.’ Thus a dispute has arisen among them. Therefore I, Itkler, come to thee with this proposition: Assemble the people and try them, in order that I may get satisfaction.”Thus he spake, and the Baboon assembled them for trial. Then they made the same excuses which had been mentioned by Itkler, each one putting the blame upon the other.So the Baboon did not see any other way of punishing them, save through making them punish each other; he therefore said—“Mouse, give Itkler satisfaction.”The Mouse, however, pleaded not guilty. But the Baboon said, “Cat, bite the Mouse.” She did so.He then put the same question to the Cat, and when[67]she exculpated herself, the Baboon called to the Dog, “Here, bite the Cat.”In this manner the Baboon questioned them all, one after the other, but they each denied the charge. Then he addressed the following words to them, and said—“Wood, beat the Dog.Fire, burn the Wood.Water, quench the Fire.Elephant, drink the Water.“Ant, bite the Elephant in his most tender parts.”They did so, and since that day they cannot any longer agree with each other.The Ant enters into the Elephant’s most tender parts, and bites him.The Elephant swallows the Water.The Water quenches the Fire.The Fire consumes the Wood.The Wood beats the Dog.The Dog bites the Cat.And the Cat the Mouse.Through this judgment Itkler got satisfaction, and addressed the Baboon in the following manner:— “Yes! Now I am content, since I have received satisfaction, and with all my heart I thank thee, Baboon, because thou hast exercised justice on my behalf, and given me redress.”[68]Then the Baboon said, “From to-day I will not any longer be called Jan, but Baboon shall be my name.”Since that time the Baboon walks on all fours, having probably lost the privilege of walking erect through this foolish judgment.(?)[69]

(The original, in the Hottentot language, of this little Namaqualand Fable, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 33, 35.)

One day, it is said, the following story happened. The Mouse had torn the clothes of Itkler (the tailor),[66]who then went to the Baboon, and accused the Mouse with these words:—

“In this manner I come to thee:—The Mouse has torn my clothes, but will not know anything of it, and accuses the Cat; the Cat protests likewise her innocence, and says the Dog must have done it; but the Dog denies it also, and declares the Wood has done it; and the Wood throws the blame on the Fire, and says, ‘The Fire did it;’ the Fire says, ‘Ihave not, the Water did it;’ the Water says, ‘The Elephant tore the clothes;’ and the Elephant says, ‘The Ant tore them.’ Thus a dispute has arisen among them. Therefore I, Itkler, come to thee with this proposition: Assemble the people and try them, in order that I may get satisfaction.”

Thus he spake, and the Baboon assembled them for trial. Then they made the same excuses which had been mentioned by Itkler, each one putting the blame upon the other.

So the Baboon did not see any other way of punishing them, save through making them punish each other; he therefore said—

“Mouse, give Itkler satisfaction.”

The Mouse, however, pleaded not guilty. But the Baboon said, “Cat, bite the Mouse.” She did so.

He then put the same question to the Cat, and when[67]she exculpated herself, the Baboon called to the Dog, “Here, bite the Cat.”

In this manner the Baboon questioned them all, one after the other, but they each denied the charge. Then he addressed the following words to them, and said—

“Wood, beat the Dog.Fire, burn the Wood.Water, quench the Fire.Elephant, drink the Water.

“Wood, beat the Dog.

Fire, burn the Wood.

Water, quench the Fire.

Elephant, drink the Water.

“Ant, bite the Elephant in his most tender parts.”

They did so, and since that day they cannot any longer agree with each other.

The Ant enters into the Elephant’s most tender parts, and bites him.

The Elephant swallows the Water.The Water quenches the Fire.The Fire consumes the Wood.The Wood beats the Dog.The Dog bites the Cat.And the Cat the Mouse.

The Elephant swallows the Water.

The Water quenches the Fire.

The Fire consumes the Wood.

The Wood beats the Dog.

The Dog bites the Cat.

And the Cat the Mouse.

Through this judgment Itkler got satisfaction, and addressed the Baboon in the following manner:— “Yes! Now I am content, since I have received satisfaction, and with all my heart I thank thee, Baboon, because thou hast exercised justice on my behalf, and given me redress.”[68]

Then the Baboon said, “From to-day I will not any longer be called Jan, but Baboon shall be my name.”

Since that time the Baboon walks on all fours, having probably lost the privilege of walking erect through this foolish judgment.(?)[69]

[Contents]18. THE LION AND THE BABOON.(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 14, 15.)THE BABOON.Thou hollow-cheeked sonOf a hollow-cheeked one,My hollow-cheeked one!Who hast two hip-bones,High hip-bones,With which thou sittest on the edge of the rock,Thou whose face appears like the edge of a rock.The Baboon, it is said, once worked bamboos, sitting on the edge of a precipice, and the Lion stole upon him. The Baboon, however, had fixed some round, glistening, eye-like plates on the back of his head. When, therefore, the Lion crept upon him, he thought, when the Baboon was looking at him, that he sat with his back towards him, and crept with all his might upon him. When, however, the Baboon turned his back towards him, the Lion thought that he was seen, and hid himself. Thus, when the[70]Baboon looked at him, he crept upon him. Whilst the Baboon did this, the Lion came close upon him. When he was near him the Baboon looked up, and the Lion continued to creep upon him. The Baboon said (aside), “Whilst I am looking at him he steals upon me, whilst my hollow eyes are on him.”When at last the Lion sprung at him, he lay (quickly) down upon his face, and the Lion jumped over him, falling down the precipice, and was dashed to pieces.[71]

18. THE LION AND THE BABOON.

(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 14, 15.)THE BABOON.Thou hollow-cheeked sonOf a hollow-cheeked one,My hollow-cheeked one!Who hast two hip-bones,High hip-bones,With which thou sittest on the edge of the rock,Thou whose face appears like the edge of a rock.The Baboon, it is said, once worked bamboos, sitting on the edge of a precipice, and the Lion stole upon him. The Baboon, however, had fixed some round, glistening, eye-like plates on the back of his head. When, therefore, the Lion crept upon him, he thought, when the Baboon was looking at him, that he sat with his back towards him, and crept with all his might upon him. When, however, the Baboon turned his back towards him, the Lion thought that he was seen, and hid himself. Thus, when the[70]Baboon looked at him, he crept upon him. Whilst the Baboon did this, the Lion came close upon him. When he was near him the Baboon looked up, and the Lion continued to creep upon him. The Baboon said (aside), “Whilst I am looking at him he steals upon me, whilst my hollow eyes are on him.”When at last the Lion sprung at him, he lay (quickly) down upon his face, and the Lion jumped over him, falling down the precipice, and was dashed to pieces.[71]

(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, pp. 14, 15.)

THE BABOON.Thou hollow-cheeked sonOf a hollow-cheeked one,My hollow-cheeked one!Who hast two hip-bones,High hip-bones,With which thou sittest on the edge of the rock,Thou whose face appears like the edge of a rock.

Thou hollow-cheeked son

Of a hollow-cheeked one,

My hollow-cheeked one!

Who hast two hip-bones,

High hip-bones,

With which thou sittest on the edge of the rock,

Thou whose face appears like the edge of a rock.

The Baboon, it is said, once worked bamboos, sitting on the edge of a precipice, and the Lion stole upon him. The Baboon, however, had fixed some round, glistening, eye-like plates on the back of his head. When, therefore, the Lion crept upon him, he thought, when the Baboon was looking at him, that he sat with his back towards him, and crept with all his might upon him. When, however, the Baboon turned his back towards him, the Lion thought that he was seen, and hid himself. Thus, when the[70]Baboon looked at him, he crept upon him. Whilst the Baboon did this, the Lion came close upon him. When he was near him the Baboon looked up, and the Lion continued to creep upon him. The Baboon said (aside), “Whilst I am looking at him he steals upon me, whilst my hollow eyes are on him.”

When at last the Lion sprung at him, he lay (quickly) down upon his face, and the Lion jumped over him, falling down the precipice, and was dashed to pieces.[71]

[Contents]19. THE ZEBRA STALLION.(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, p. 17.)THE ZEBRA.Thou who art thrown at by the great (shepherd) boys,Thou whose head the (kirrie’s) throw misses!Thou dappled fly,Thou party-coloured one,Who spiest for those,That spy for thee!Thou who, womanlike,Art full of jealousy.The Baboons, it is said, used to disturb the Zebra Mares in drinking. But one of the Mares became the mother of a foal. The others then helped her to suckle (the young stallion), that he might soon grow up.When he was grown up, and they were in want of water, they brought him to the water. The Baboons,[72]seeing this, came, as they formerly were used to do, into their way, and kept them from the water.While the Mares stood thus, the Stallion stepped forward, and spoke to one of the Baboons, “Thou gum-eater’s child!”The Baboon said to the Stallion, “Please open thy mouth, that I may see what thou livest on.” The Stallion opened his mouth, and it was milky.Then the Stallion said to the Baboon, “Please open thy mouth also, that I may see.” The Baboon did so, and there was some gum in it. But the Baboon quickly licked some milk off the Stallion’s tongue. The Stallion on this became angry, took the Baboon by his shoulders, and pressed him upon a hot, flat rock. Since that day the Baboon has a bald place on his back.The Baboon said, lamenting, “I, my mother’s child, I, the gum-eater, am outdone by this milk-eater!”THE ZEBRA.Thouǁarishrub (i.e., tough shrub, Dutch, “critdorn”),Thou who art of strong smell,Thou who rollest always in soft ground,Whose body retains the dust,[73]Thou split kirrie of the shepherd boys,Thou split knob of a kirrie.Thou who drivest away by thy neighingThe hunter who seeketh thee.Thou who crossest all riversAs if they were but one.[74]

19. THE ZEBRA STALLION.

(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, p. 17.)THE ZEBRA.Thou who art thrown at by the great (shepherd) boys,Thou whose head the (kirrie’s) throw misses!Thou dappled fly,Thou party-coloured one,Who spiest for those,That spy for thee!Thou who, womanlike,Art full of jealousy.The Baboons, it is said, used to disturb the Zebra Mares in drinking. But one of the Mares became the mother of a foal. The others then helped her to suckle (the young stallion), that he might soon grow up.When he was grown up, and they were in want of water, they brought him to the water. The Baboons,[72]seeing this, came, as they formerly were used to do, into their way, and kept them from the water.While the Mares stood thus, the Stallion stepped forward, and spoke to one of the Baboons, “Thou gum-eater’s child!”The Baboon said to the Stallion, “Please open thy mouth, that I may see what thou livest on.” The Stallion opened his mouth, and it was milky.Then the Stallion said to the Baboon, “Please open thy mouth also, that I may see.” The Baboon did so, and there was some gum in it. But the Baboon quickly licked some milk off the Stallion’s tongue. The Stallion on this became angry, took the Baboon by his shoulders, and pressed him upon a hot, flat rock. Since that day the Baboon has a bald place on his back.The Baboon said, lamenting, “I, my mother’s child, I, the gum-eater, am outdone by this milk-eater!”THE ZEBRA.Thouǁarishrub (i.e., tough shrub, Dutch, “critdorn”),Thou who art of strong smell,Thou who rollest always in soft ground,Whose body retains the dust,[73]Thou split kirrie of the shepherd boys,Thou split knob of a kirrie.Thou who drivest away by thy neighingThe hunter who seeketh thee.Thou who crossest all riversAs if they were but one.[74]

(The original, in the Hottentot language, is in Sir G. Grey’s Library, G. Krönlein’s Manuscript, p. 17.)

THE ZEBRA.Thou who art thrown at by the great (shepherd) boys,Thou whose head the (kirrie’s) throw misses!Thou dappled fly,Thou party-coloured one,Who spiest for those,That spy for thee!Thou who, womanlike,Art full of jealousy.

Thou who art thrown at by the great (shepherd) boys,

Thou whose head the (kirrie’s) throw misses!

Thou dappled fly,

Thou party-coloured one,

Who spiest for those,

That spy for thee!

Thou who, womanlike,

Art full of jealousy.

The Baboons, it is said, used to disturb the Zebra Mares in drinking. But one of the Mares became the mother of a foal. The others then helped her to suckle (the young stallion), that he might soon grow up.

When he was grown up, and they were in want of water, they brought him to the water. The Baboons,[72]seeing this, came, as they formerly were used to do, into their way, and kept them from the water.

While the Mares stood thus, the Stallion stepped forward, and spoke to one of the Baboons, “Thou gum-eater’s child!”

The Baboon said to the Stallion, “Please open thy mouth, that I may see what thou livest on.” The Stallion opened his mouth, and it was milky.

Then the Stallion said to the Baboon, “Please open thy mouth also, that I may see.” The Baboon did so, and there was some gum in it. But the Baboon quickly licked some milk off the Stallion’s tongue. The Stallion on this became angry, took the Baboon by his shoulders, and pressed him upon a hot, flat rock. Since that day the Baboon has a bald place on his back.

The Baboon said, lamenting, “I, my mother’s child, I, the gum-eater, am outdone by this milk-eater!”

THE ZEBRA.Thouǁarishrub (i.e., tough shrub, Dutch, “critdorn”),Thou who art of strong smell,Thou who rollest always in soft ground,Whose body retains the dust,[73]Thou split kirrie of the shepherd boys,Thou split knob of a kirrie.Thou who drivest away by thy neighingThe hunter who seeketh thee.Thou who crossest all riversAs if they were but one.

Thouǁarishrub (i.e., tough shrub, Dutch, “critdorn”),

Thou who art of strong smell,

Thou who rollest always in soft ground,

Whose body retains the dust,[73]

Thou split kirrie of the shepherd boys,

Thou split knob of a kirrie.

Thou who drivest away by thy neighing

The hunter who seeketh thee.

Thou who crossest all rivers

As if they were but one.

[74]

[Contents]20. THE LOST CHILD.—[A Tale.](From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. ii. pp. 234, 235.)The children belonging to a kraal were playing at some little distance from the huts with bows and arrows; in the evening they all returned home, save one, a boy of five or six years old, who lingered behind, and was soon surrounded by a troop of baboons, who carried him up a mountain.The people turned out to recover the boy, and for days they hunted after him in vain; he was nowhere to be seen; the baboons also had left the neighbourhood.A year after this had occurred, a mounted hunter came to the kraal from a distance, and told the people that he had crossed at such a place the spoor of baboons, along with the footmarks of a child. The people went to the place which the hunter had indicated, and they soon saw what they were in search of, viz., the boy, sitting on a pinnacle of rock, in company with a large baboon. The moment the people[75]approached, the baboon took up the boy, and scampered off with him; but, after a close pursuit, the boy was recovered. He seemed quite wild, and tried to run away to the baboons again; however, he was brought back to the kraal, and when he recovered his speech, he said that the baboons had been very kind to him; that they ate scorpions and spiders themselves, but brought him roots, gum, and wild raisins, seeing that he did not touch the two first-named delicacies, and that they always allowed him to drink first at the waters.[76]

20. THE LOST CHILD.—[A Tale.]

(From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. ii. pp. 234, 235.)The children belonging to a kraal were playing at some little distance from the huts with bows and arrows; in the evening they all returned home, save one, a boy of five or six years old, who lingered behind, and was soon surrounded by a troop of baboons, who carried him up a mountain.The people turned out to recover the boy, and for days they hunted after him in vain; he was nowhere to be seen; the baboons also had left the neighbourhood.A year after this had occurred, a mounted hunter came to the kraal from a distance, and told the people that he had crossed at such a place the spoor of baboons, along with the footmarks of a child. The people went to the place which the hunter had indicated, and they soon saw what they were in search of, viz., the boy, sitting on a pinnacle of rock, in company with a large baboon. The moment the people[75]approached, the baboon took up the boy, and scampered off with him; but, after a close pursuit, the boy was recovered. He seemed quite wild, and tried to run away to the baboons again; however, he was brought back to the kraal, and when he recovered his speech, he said that the baboons had been very kind to him; that they ate scorpions and spiders themselves, but brought him roots, gum, and wild raisins, seeing that he did not touch the two first-named delicacies, and that they always allowed him to drink first at the waters.[76]

(From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. ii. pp. 234, 235.)

The children belonging to a kraal were playing at some little distance from the huts with bows and arrows; in the evening they all returned home, save one, a boy of five or six years old, who lingered behind, and was soon surrounded by a troop of baboons, who carried him up a mountain.

The people turned out to recover the boy, and for days they hunted after him in vain; he was nowhere to be seen; the baboons also had left the neighbourhood.

A year after this had occurred, a mounted hunter came to the kraal from a distance, and told the people that he had crossed at such a place the spoor of baboons, along with the footmarks of a child. The people went to the place which the hunter had indicated, and they soon saw what they were in search of, viz., the boy, sitting on a pinnacle of rock, in company with a large baboon. The moment the people[75]approached, the baboon took up the boy, and scampered off with him; but, after a close pursuit, the boy was recovered. He seemed quite wild, and tried to run away to the baboons again; however, he was brought back to the kraal, and when he recovered his speech, he said that the baboons had been very kind to him; that they ate scorpions and spiders themselves, but brought him roots, gum, and wild raisins, seeing that he did not touch the two first-named delicacies, and that they always allowed him to drink first at the waters.[76]

[Contents]21. THE BABOON SHEPHERD.—[A Tale.](From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. ii. pp. 229, 230.)The Namaquas say that, not long ago, a man had brought up a young Baboon, and had made it his shepherd. It remained by the flock all day in the field, and at night drove them home to the kraal, riding on the back of one of the goats, which brought up the rear. The Baboon had the milk of one goat allowed to it, and it sucked that one only, and guarded the milk of the others from the children. It also got a little meat from its master. It held the office of shepherd for twelve moons, and then was unfortunately killed in a tree by a Leopard.[77]

21. THE BABOON SHEPHERD.—[A Tale.]

(From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. ii. pp. 229, 230.)The Namaquas say that, not long ago, a man had brought up a young Baboon, and had made it his shepherd. It remained by the flock all day in the field, and at night drove them home to the kraal, riding on the back of one of the goats, which brought up the rear. The Baboon had the milk of one goat allowed to it, and it sucked that one only, and guarded the milk of the others from the children. It also got a little meat from its master. It held the office of shepherd for twelve moons, and then was unfortunately killed in a tree by a Leopard.[77]

(From Sir James E. Alexander’s “Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa,” vol. ii. pp. 229, 230.)

The Namaquas say that, not long ago, a man had brought up a young Baboon, and had made it his shepherd. It remained by the flock all day in the field, and at night drove them home to the kraal, riding on the back of one of the goats, which brought up the rear. The Baboon had the milk of one goat allowed to it, and it sucked that one only, and guarded the milk of the others from the children. It also got a little meat from its master. It held the office of shepherd for twelve moons, and then was unfortunately killed in a tree by a Leopard.[77]

1With reference to the Baboon’s great power of distancing his pursuers.↑

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